The Study of Hirsutism in Nigeria: A Case Study of Female Students at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

The prevalence of hirsutism was studied among 302 female students of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with mean age 23.82+3.19. Hirsutism was assessed following the McKnight method of hair distribution. This was done by checking for the presence of hairs on androgenic sensitive areas of the body which include the face, chest, anterior abdominal wall, shoulders. upper and lower limbs. Fifty six percent (56%) of the populations were found to be hirsutes. The study was conducted on the major tribes in Nigeria, which included the Hausas, Yorubas, Igbos, Tivs, Igalas, Ebiras, and others (minority tribes). The study indicated that there is an association between tribe and hirsutism as shown by x²=21.42 df = 6 and P=0.002, but there is no association between age and hirsutism x²=8.00 df = 4, P=0.09. The results seem to suggest a genetic basis of the disorders among Nigerian females than any other environmental factor.