فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

Background & Objective: Acne vulgaris is the most common skin condition affecting adolescents. The disease is more prevalent among girls than boys. This study was conducted with aim to assess the knowledge and beliefs of caregivers mothers or older sisters of female patients with acne vulgaris, as experienced members of the community, and to evaluate their basic understanding and awareness of acne. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted at Erbil Dermatology Teaching Center in Erbil, Iraq, involving 114 caregivers. Their demographic data were recorded, followed by direct interviews using a set of predefined questions to assess their knowledge and perception of acne causes, symptoms, and treatments. The collected data were analyzed statistically using SPSS software (version 17). Results: Among the caregivers, 46.5% believed that acne has a genetic component, while 13.2% disagreed and 40.4% were unsure. After categorizing overall knowledge into basic and high levels, 34.2% demonstrated good basic knowledge, while only 25.4% had good high-level knowledge. Nearly all caregivers (97%) obtained their information from family and friends. Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that most caregivers had poor knowledge about acne. While basic information about acne was relatively well known, more advanced knowledge was lacking. Since caregivers primarily relied on family and friends for information, there is a need for mass media to play a greater role in educating the public about acne and community health.