Self-reported hair loss and its influencing factors among universitystudents in Hangzhou City / 预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate the status of hair loss and analyze the influencing factors among university students in Hangzhou City, so as to provide insights into the management of hair loss among university students.@*Methods@#University students were recruited using a convenient sampling method from 4 universities in Hangzhou City in June 2021. The basic characteristics and life styles were collected using online questionnaire surveys. Self-reported hair loss was evaluated using the grading scales for loss of hair (Hamilton-Norwood scale for males and modified Ludwig scale for females), and factors affecting self-reported hair loss were identified among university students using the multivariable logistic regression model. @*Results@#A total of 1 060 questionnaires were allocated, and 1 038 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 97.92%. The respondents included 391 males ( 37.67% ) and 647 females ( 62.33% ), and 463 respondents ( 44.61% ) reported hair loss, including 431 students with mild hair loss ( 93.09% ). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that university students in their fourth or fifth years ( OR=1.721, 95%CI 1.126-2.630 ), art specialty ( OR=0.411, 95%CI 0.207-0.816 ), overweight or obesity (OR=1.685, 95%CI 1.050-2.704), diet taste ( sweet OR=2.131, 95%CI 1.370-3.316; spicy OR=1.510, 95%CI 1.028-2.218; greasy OR=3.023, 95%CI 2.015-4.537 ), feeling nervous/anxious (occasionally OR=1.891, 95%CI 1.087-3.289; frequently OR=2.487, 95%CI 1.337-4.626 ), smoking ( occasionally OR=1.906, 95%CI 1.067-3.405; frequently OR=1.983, 95%CI 1.050-3.746), family history of hair loss ( OR=1.506, 95%CI 1.075-2.110 ), perming/dyeing hair ( occasionally OR=1.795, 95%CI 1.280-2.517; frequently OR=3.282, 95%CI 1.736-6.204), self-perceived oily hair/scalp in the past three months (slightly increased OR=1.980, 95%CI 1.477-2.653; significantly increased OR=5.347, 95%CI 2.956-9.670) were factors affecting self-reported hair loss among university students.@*Conclusion@#The proportion of self-reported hair loss was 44.61% among university students in Hangzhou City, and hair loss was predominantly mild. A family history of hair loss, nervousness/anxiety, diet habits, smoking and frequency of perm/dyeing hair may affect hair loss among university students.