Prevalence and Types of Alopecia and Grey Hair among the South-Eastern Nigerians

Abstract

The types and prevalence of alopecia and grey hair on the scalp among the Southeast Nigerians was studied, using, a population sample of two thousand (2000) subjects chosen within Enugu and Ebonyi states metropolis. The ages ranged from 40 years and above. Personal data or history of subjects was obtained through the administration of questionnaire and personal communication and observation of the scalp. Results showed that five hundred and thirty eight males (26.9%) of the total sample size had Type IV of common male pattern baldness, three hundred and fifty males (17.85%) had Type V of common male pattern baldness, three hundred and three males (15.15%) had type VI of common male pattern baldness and eight hundred male (40%) had type VII of common male pattern baldness while two men (0.1%) had alopecia totalis. 27.15% had solitary grey hair (minimum of 5 grey hairs per head), 12.5% had the bunch type of grey hair, 52.15% had the generalized type of grey hair while 7.7% had little or no grey hair (less than 5 grey hairs per head). We therefore deduce from our statistical analysis that in males over 60 years of age there is an 80% incidence of male pattern baldness of types IV, V, VI and VI.