Awareness, knowledge, and perceptions of alopecia among UK postgraduate students: a cross-sectional study

Background Alopecia is a medical disorder causing hair loss, affecting millions globally. Despite its prevalence, public awareness and understanding of the condition remain limited, potentially hindering early diagnosis, access to support, and well-being for individuals living with the condition. This research aimed to assess the current level of awareness of Alopecia among postgraduate health students. Methods A quantitative approach was administered to a representative sample of students at the School of Health and Society, gathering data on participants' knowledge of Alopecia symptoms, causes, treatment options, and psychosocial impact. 74 students took part in an online survey. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests to identify patterns and associations between awareness of alopecia and the gender of students. Results 17.3%(n = 13) of students had a high level of overall awareness of alopecia, 62.2% (n = 46) had a medium level of awareness, and 20.3% (n = 15) had a low level of awareness of alopecia, with no significant difference in awareness scores between male and female students. However, despite having a health background, only 20.3% of them felt confident that they knew the pathogenesis of the hair fall cycle. Female respondents were more aware of the prognosis and pathogenesis of alopecia and more likely to visit health care professionals than compared to male participants (p < 0.05) Conclusion The vast majority of respondents had moderate awareness of alopecia. This fact stresses the importance of awareness campaigns and interventions among both health students and general students