Background: Zinc deficiency is one of the main health problems affecting many peoples in developing countries. The acne like papule pustular lesions in zinc deficiency and their rapid improvement with zinc supplementation have led to assess the relationship between serum zinc levels and acne. Methods: the Facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 102 patients with acne vulgaris in Ayder Referral Hospital from March to April 2016. Individual dietary diversity score was determined as the sum of the number of food groups consumed in 24 hours prior to the study. Serum zinc concentration was determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and zinc deficiency was defined at serum levels less than 70μ g/dL. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with serum zinc deficiency. Moreover, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA were done to compare the mean serum zinc level between different groups. The significance was declared at p< 0.05.

Results: The mean serum zinc concentration was 95.38 ± 20.95 μ g/dL (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91.28 – 99.49) and 19.61% of the patients were zinc deficient. Higher prevalence of zinc deficiency was noticed in patients with acne who were regularly doing exercise (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=3.27; 95% CI: 1.211−8.20), drinking alcohol (AOR=3; 95% CI:1.95−11.00), consuming no meat (AOR = 4; 95% CI: 1.86−10.00) and taking milk (AOR = 5; 95% CI: 1.52−11.70). There was also a significant difference in mean score of serum zinc level among groups who experience diarrhea; women with regular menses; with cereal, vegetable, and meat consumption; and acne duration.

Conclusion: The prevalence of zinc deficiency was higher among patients with acne vulgaris in the hospital. Regular exercise, no meat consumption, high alcohol and milk intake were factors associated with zinc deficiency. Clinicians should consider serum zinc level and the contributing factors while diagnosing and treating patients with acne vulgaris.