IMPACT OF ACNE ON QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG ADOLESCENT SCHOOL CHILDREN AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Acne is one of the commonest skin disorders affecting around 9.4% of the global population.The main aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of acne on quality of life (QoL) among adolescent school children and university students in Sri Lanka. This study also assessed the awareness of acne, treatment methods and the relationship between acne severity and risk factors. The cross-sectional analytical study included 100 advanced level students and 200 university students (100 Art students and 100 Allied Health Sciences students)with self-reported acne.Data was collected using pre-tested self-administered questionnaire with Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). Most of the students in both educational setting have awareness regarding their skin type, affected body parts and severity of acne. Oily foods and stress were identified as major risk factors for acne. There were statistically significant associations between acne severity and risk factors of oily food (X2 = 15.241, P = 0.002), family history (X2 = 15.241, P = 0.002), premenstrual period (X2 = 16.593, P = 0.001) and oily skin (X2 = 30.952, P = 0.000). The use of topical treatment is higher than the other methods in both educational settings. 31% school children and 35% of university students showed a fear of acne lesions. The university students presented higher experiences of the impact of acne on QoL than school children and the mean score of CDLQI was 1.3 in school children and 2.13 in university students.The impact of acne on QoL of health sciences based university students was higher than the others.There was a statistically significant association between severity of acne and QoL (X2 = 72.834, P = 0.000).