Acne vulgaris: Perceptions and beliefs of Saudi adolescent males

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:Although acne vulgaris is common in adolescents, information on their understanding of acne is minimal.OBJECTIVES:To evaluate the perceptions and beliefs of Saudi youth on acne.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Three hundred twenty-nine male students (aged 13–22 years) from 6 secondary schools in the Eastern Saudi Arabia completed a self-reported questionnaire on knowledge, causation, exacerbating and relieving factors of acne. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 15.0. Results of subjects with acne, a family history of acne, and parents' educational levels were compared. Differences between the analyzed groups were assessed by a Chi-square test; p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS:Over half (58.9%) of the participants considered acne a transient condition not requiring therapy. Only 13.1% knew that the proper treatment of acne could take a long time, even several years. Over half (52%) thought acne can be treated from the first or after few visits to the doctor. Popular sources of information were television/radio (47.7%), friends (45.6%), and the internet (38%). Only 23.4% indicated school as a source of knowledge. Reported causal factors included scratching (88.5%) and squeezing (82.1%) of pimples, poor hygiene (83.9%), poor dietary habits (71.5%), and stress (54.1%). Ameliorating factors included frequent washing of the face (52.9%), exercise (41.1%), sunbathing (24.1%), and drinking of mineral water (21%). The correlations of these facts are discussed.CONCLUSION:Results of this study point out that misconceptions of acne are widespread among Saudi youth. A health education program is needed to improve the understanding of the condition.

Perceptions about oral isotretinoin treatment

“…In this study, information on OIT among patients was obtained most frequently from friends, followed by family, internet, and physicians. Other recent studies have also found that family and friends are often consulted about acne (Al-Natour, 2017;Karciauskiene et al, 2015;Nguyen et al, 2016;Rigopoulos et al, 2007;Szepietowski et al, 2018). Saudi adolescent males and patients from United States reported the sources of information on acne, mostly mass media and internet in a different two studies (Al-Natour, 2017;Nguyen et al, 2016).…”

“…Other recent studies have also found that family and friends are often consulted about acne (Al-Natour, 2017;Karciauskiene et al, 2015;Nguyen et al, 2016;Rigopoulos et al, 2007;Szepietowski et al, 2018). Saudi adolescent males and patients from United States reported the sources of information on acne, mostly mass media and internet in a different two studies (Al-Natour, 2017;Nguyen et al, 2016). There are several reports which indicated the mass media especially internet as a popular source of information for patients (Brajac et al, 2004;Gokdemir, Fisek, Köslü, & Kutlubay, 2011;Szepietowski et al, 2018).…”

“…When asked for the sources of information on OIT, similar to the current surveys which reported sources of patients' information about acne (Al-Natour, 2017;Karciauskiene, Valiukeviciene, Stang, & Gollnick, 2015;Nguyen, Markus, & Katta, 2016;Rigopoulos et al, 2007;Szepietowski et al, 2018), the patients sought information about OIT from a variety of sources not just from healthcare professionals. In this study, information on OIT among patients was obtained most frequently from friends, followed by family, internet, and physicians.…”

Relationship Between Diet and Acne Among Residents of Al-Madinah Al-Munwarah, Saudi Arabia.

“…It has a direct impact on our self-esteem and ability to function with confidence. One of the most intriguing facts of physical appearance is acne and it is a phenomenon which has affected all of us at some point in our lives (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). This aspect is of particular importance to teenagers and young adults who are constantly influenced by media to have a certain physical appearance in order to be accepted by their peers and society.…”

“…This aspect is of particular importance to teenagers and young adults who are constantly influenced by media to have a certain physical appearance in order to be accepted by their peers and society. (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) Despite having such a pervasive impact, there are certain areas of this topic that are not given the attention they rightfully deserve. There have been extensive amount of research done on medication and other remedial actions to cure acne.…”