Effect of cultural factors on hair fall

Abstract

Background: Cultural practices of hair care are getting less attention for preventing hair loss. Objectives: To study and compare the factors associated with hair loss among the Andhra and Malayalam girls and to find out whether the cultural practices can prevent the hair loss. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive and comparative study was carried out among 140 Andhra and 100 Malayalam girls. They were interviewed by doctors for the various socioeconomic and cultural factors causing hair loss and the preventive measures adopted by them using a predesigned questionnaire. Chi square test and proportions were used to analyze the data. Results: Overall prevalence of hair loss among 240 girls was 83.3%. Hair fall was more seen with Andhra girls (92.85%) than with the Malayalam girls (70%). More seen in middle class girls (78.5% of Andhra girls) and in 46% of Andhra girls with underweight and 50% of Andhra girls taking poor protein diet. Hair loss among the Andhra girls was found significantly high due to infrequent head bath (once a week or fortnight) and applying shampoos and soap nut usage. Hair loss was prevented in Malayalam girls by their cultural habits of daily head bath with prior massage with oil containing the powder of Hibiscus leaves, egg white application, avoiding too much sunshine and leaving hair loose for drying. Conclusion: Good cultural practices can prevent health problems. Cultural practices can assist in preventing hair fall in girls. Elimination of nutritional imbalances and other causative factors with due importance given to the cultural practices of hair care will help the girls to face this distressing health problem to a major extent.

Keywords

• hair loss
• cultural practices
• andhra girls