Impact of Acne on the Quality of Life of Adolescent School Children and University Students

Abstract

Acne is a common skin disorder caused due to the inflammation of pilosebaceous units in the skin and has affected around 9.4% of the global population. This study evaluated the impact of acne on the quality of life (QoL) of adolescent school children and university students in Sri Lanka. The study also assessed the treatment methods, risk factors, and associations between acne severity and risk factors. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted using 100 advanced level students and 200 university students with self-reported acne. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire with the Children’s Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI). The family history, premenstrual period, cosmetic usage, stress, oily skin, and oily foods were identified as severity factors for acne. There were statistically significant associations between acne severity and risk factors; oily food (χ2 = 15.241, P = 0.002), family history (χ2 = 15.241, P = 0.002), premenstrual period (χ2 = 16.593, P = 0.001), and oily skin (χ2 = 30.952, P = 0.000). The majority, 55% of school children and 73% of university students use home remedies to treat acne. The mean score of CDLQI was 1.3 in school children and 2.13 in university students. There was a statistically significant association between severity of acne and QoL (χ2 = 72.834, P = 0.000). The university students presented higher experiences of the impact of acne on QoL than school children.