Alopecia Areata in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review Protocol on Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, Burden, Treatment, and Evidence Gaps.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common autoimmune disease causing non-scarring hair loss, affecting ~2% of the global population. It impairs quality of life, mental health, and work productivity, and is linked to increased cardiovascular risk. However, no synthesized evidence exists for Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Epidemiology, clinical presentation in African skin/hair types, psychosocial burden, treatment patterns, and care barriers remain unmapped. A scoping review is ideal to map evidence and identify research gaps. Methods: This protocol is registered on OSF and follows PRISMA-ScR and JBI standards. All original studies from inception through 2026 on AA in 49 SSA countries will be included. Searches will cover PubMed, Scopus, AJOL, African Index Medicus, and Google Scholar, combining “alopecia areata” with SSA country names. Grey literature and references will be hand-searched. Two independent reviewers will screen and extract data using standardized forms covering epidemiology, clinical features, mechanisms, QoL/mental health, treatments, barriers to care, and evidence gaps. Quality appraisal will use the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and MMAT. Quantitative data will be summarized descriptively; qualitative data via thematic analysis. Discussion: This first systematic map of AA in SSA will identify knowledge clusters and critical voids, guiding researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and funders to prioritize research and improve equitable care. Conclusion: This protocol ensures transparent methodology. The final review will inform future research agendas and clinical policy for AA in SSA.