Journal of Pediatric Care

Acne vulgaris: Prevalence, severity and impact on quality of life and self-esteem among secondary school-aged adolescents in Egypt

Joint Event on 18^th International Conference on Pediatrics Health & 2^nd Edition of International Conference on Adolescent Health & Medicine
August 06-07, 2018 Madrid, Spain

Noha Osama Ahmed Adel Fadl

Alexandria University, Egypt

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Pediatr Care

DOI: 10.21767/2471-805X-C3-012

Abstract

Introduction: Acne vulgaris has a great importance among the dermatoses that affect adolescents, in view of its prevalence in this age bracket and its impact on quality of life (QoL). Objectives: to estimate the prevalence of acne, severity and its impact on Qol and self-esteem among adolescents in Alexandria, Egypt. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted, where 787 students were selected using multistage stratified random sampling from twelve (six private and six public) secondary schools in Alexandria, between February and May 2016. Data collection was performed using self-reported questionnaire and clinical examination. Severity of acne, its impact on QoL and self-esteem were assessed using Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) and Coopersmith self-esteem scale, respectively. Results: The study population consisted of 396 boys (50.3%) and 391 girls (49.7%), with a mean age of 16.31±0.725 years. Prevalence of self-reported acne was 34.7%. Females reported acne more frequently than males (39.1% vs. 30.3%, p=0.009). Prevalence of clinically-confirmed acne was 24.4%, with higher rates among females (28.6%) than males (20.2%, p=0.006). A higher proportion of students in private schools (29.6%) compared with those in public schools (19.6%) had acne (p=0.001). 75.5% of students had mild acne, 22.9% had moderate acne and 1.6% had severe acne. The severity of acne was similar in both genders. No association was found between self-esteem and acne, or with acne severity. The CADI showed that 49.0% experienced mild impairment and 11.4% had severe impairment. The overall mean CADI score was 4.95±3.21.There was a significant medium positive correlation between GAGS and CADI (r=0.338, p=0.00). Conclusion: Our findings should alert health professionals and school authorities to timely identify, manage and educate adolescents with acne.