PATIENT PERSPECTIVES ON ACNE VULGARIS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE, BELIEFS, AND PRACTICES IN ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS

Adolescent and post-adolescent acne: patient’s perspective

Abstract

Background: Acne is a common dermatological disease. However, acne from the perspective of patients is not readily documented. This study aimed to document, the knowledge, source of information, beliefs and practices of acne patients. In addition, to compare perspectives between adolescent and post adolescent patients.

Methodology: This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study of 215 acne patients over a one-year period at three skin clinics. The patients were clinically evaluated. Comparisons were made between Adolescent (≤20 years) and post-adolescent (≥25 years) patients. Data was analysed in R Studio 2023 version.

Results: The patients were 75.5% were female. Information on acne and its treatment was provided by Doctors, Friends, Parents, Self, Chemist/Pharmacist, Nurses and others in 31.6%, 27%, 18.6%, 17.8%, 11.7%, 3.2%, and 7.7% respectively. The cause of acne was thought to be diet by 26.8%, infection 19.9%, genes by 15.3%, creams by 11.5%. Acne is thought to be a disease by 49.4%, believed to be curable by 93.5% and should be treated by 78.2% dermatologists. Adolescent and post-adolescent patients differed significantly in source of information on treatment, who should treat acne, practices and what was disliked about acne. Adolescents sought information from their parents and post-adolescents from doctors (p=0.001).

Conclusion: The knowledge of acne is poor in acne patients. Self-medication is a common practice and most acne patients believe that acne is curable. Differences exist in perspectives between adolescent and post-adolescent acne patients.