Sociodemographic Characteristics of Acne among University Students in Damascus, Syria

Abstract EN

To estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors that may be associated with acne among university students in Syria, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the Syrian International University for Science and Technology in December 2009.

A sample of 500 students was chosen.

Each participant was subjected to an interview and clinical examination of acne in addition to height and weight measurements.

Acne prevalence was 34.7% (172/496).

Male students had higher rate of acne compared to females (42.9% versus 23.6%, P<0.0001) and their acne started significantly at a younger age (18.13 versus 19.04 years old, P<0.0001).

Face was the commonest site for acne in both males and females.

Washing face frequently per day in both sexes has a significant relation with a decreased prevalence of acne.

Moreover, psychological stress particularly when the students were away from family was associated with a significant higher rate of acne.

We found that the prevalence of acne steadily increased with increasing body mass index.

Acne is a health and psychological problem among university students particularly when affecting the face.

Several factors such as gender, body mass index, and stress were found to be associated with acne formation.