Clinical and related factors in Acne - Experiences from Can Tho, Viet Nam
- Author:
Tran Thi Hanh
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Vietnam, adolescence, behaviour, skin lesion
- From:Malaysian Journal of Dermatology
2011;26(-):6-11
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Acne is a common disease in teenagers and young adults. This study was conducted
to provide physicians with a better understanding of the disease and to improve their advice to
patients.
Objective: To define the prevalence of acne, it’s related factors and its psychological impact on the
pupils at Chau Van Liem Senior High School.
Method: A cross sectional descriptive study including 405 pupils in 10th, 11th, 12th grades was
carried out by means of medical examination, and interviews based on questionnaires.
Results: The prevalence of acne in Chau Van Liem Senior High School pupils is 82.5% overall.
Separately, the incidence was slightly higher for boys with 83.9% than girls with 81.7%. Most of
these pupils had moderate acne (51.5%), with 46.7% having mild acne. Only 1.8% had the disease
at severe. Moderate acne was 1.72 times more common in males than females (p = 0.02, OR = 1.72).
The essential lesions included oily skin, comedone, and papules, accompanied with pigmentation
and/ or scar. One risk factor associated with acne was identified as the habit of using cosmetics
(OR=2.12).The research also identified the differences between boys and girls in their habits related
to acne. These included: the concern about acne (p=0.003), facial massage (p=0.02), using facial
milk (p=0.001), using cosmetics (p=0.001). Acne led to diffident (p=0.01), depression (p=0.05), and
ashamed (p=0.003). Boys with acne were less communicative than girls (p=0.03).
Conclusion: The prevalence of acne in Chau Van Liem Senior High School pupils is 82.5%. Pupils
still display bad habits like acne squeezing, applying cosmetics, using mixed- cream bought from the
store or self concocted mixtures of locally obtainable creams including steroids, aspirin, antibiotics,
vitamins, carelessly applying corticoid-contained medicine which harm their skin. Acne also affects
their mental health, emotional well being, and performance in school, family relationships, and
friendships.
