A STUDY ON AWARENESS OF SKIN INFECTION AMONG ADULTS IN PETALING DISTRICT, MALAYSIA
Keywords:
Skin infection, Awareness, Quality of life, Dermatology Life Quality IndexAbstract
Objective: The prevalence of skin infection is on the rise globally and there is a lack of published data pertaining to skin infection in Malaysia. Hence, the aim of this study is to determine the awareness of skin infection among adults and to study the effect of skin infection on quality of life (QoL).
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among adults 18 y and above in Petaling district, Malaysia. Subjects were interviewed based on a validated questionnaire to elicit information on socio-demographic data, prevalence and level of awareness of skin infection. Whereas the impact of skin infection on quality of life was questioned using a validated questionnaire Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 18.0.
Results: Out of 384 participants, 230 (60%) of the subjects had a skin infection. Bacterial skin infection such as acne (54.8%) being most prevalent, followed on by a fungal infection (29.6%), viral infection (11.7%) and parasitic infection (3.9%). It was found that most of the subjects were aware of the risk factors of skin infection. Nevertheless, those with skin infection reported their quality of life was affected mainly due to the physical symptoms of skin infection and treatment of skin infection. A significant association was found between the awareness of risk factor of skin infection and QoL in those with a skin infection with a p-value<0.05.
Conclusion: Most of the respondents were found to be aware of skin infection. Nevertheless, respondents reported that their QoL was affected due to physical symptoms and treatment of skin infection. The study also shows that there is association found between level of awareness of skin infection and QoL in subjects with a skin infection. Hence, dermatological community programs should be encouraged to educate the public further.
Â
Downloads
References
Pallin DJ, Espinola JA, Leung DY, Hooper DC, Camargo CA Jr. Epidemiology of dermatitis and skin infections in united states physician offices, 1993-2005. Clin Infect Dis 2009;49:901-7.
Hay RJ, Johns NE, Williams HC, Bolliger IW, Dellavalle RP. The global burden of skin disease in 2010: an analysis of the prevalence and impact of skin conditions. J Invest Dermatol 2013;134:1527-34.
Hay R, Bendeck SE, Chen S, Estrada R, Haddix A, McLeod T, et al. Skin disease. In: Jamison DT, Breman JG, Measham AR, Alleyne G, Claeson M, Evans DB, Jha P, Mills A, Musgrove P. editors. Disease control priorities in developing countries. 2nd ed. Washington(DC): World Bank; 2006. p. 707-22.
Goonmatee K, Rajesh J. What factors contribute to a higher frequency of skin infections among adults in Mauritius? Our Dermatology Online J 2013;4:297-302.
Bari A. Pattern of skin infections in black Africans of sierra leone. Indian J Dermatol 2007;52:30-4.
Beattie PE, Lewis-Jonas MS. A Comparative study of impairment of quality of life in children with skin disease and children with other chronic diseases. Br J Dermatol 2006;155:145-51.
Skin Infection in Pacific Peoples. BPJ 2010;32:23-8.
World Health Organisation (WHO). Growing Awareness of Skin Disease Starts Flurry of Initiatives. Geneva: WHO; 2005;83:881-968.
Balai M, Khare AK, Gupta LK, Mittal A, Kuldeep CM. The pattern of pediatric dermatoses in a tertiary care centre of the south west Rajasthan. Indian J Dermatol 2012;57:275-8.
Puri N, Puri A. A study on tinea capitis in the preschool and school going children. Our Dermatol Online J 2013;4:157-60.
Schofield J, Grindlay D, Williams H. Skin Conditions in the UK: A Health Care Needs Assessment. UK: Centre of evidence Based Dermatology; 2009.
City Population. Petaling (District); c2013. Available from http://www.citypopulation.de/php/malaysia-admin.php?adm2id=1205. [Last accessed on 15 Oct 2015].
Population Distribution by Local Authority Areas and Mukims. Department of Statistics, Malaysia Official Website; c2011. Available from: http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1354&Itemid=111&lang=en. [Last accessed on 15 Oct 2015].
Maps of World. Tropical Climate; c2011. Available from: http://www.mapsofworld.com/referrals/weather/climate/tropical-climate.html. [Last accessed on 15 Oct 2015].
Microbe Wiki. Skin; c2011. Available from: https:// microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Skin Introduction. [Last accessed on 15 Oct 2015].
Country Health Plan: 10th Malaysia plan 2011-2015. Ministry of Health Malaysia; c2011. Available from: http://www. moh.gov.my/images/gallery/Report/Country_health.pdf. [Last accessed on 15 Oct 2015].
Tasoula E, Gregoriou S, Chalikias J, Lazarou D, Danopoulou I, Katsambas A, et al. The impact of acne vulgaris on quality of life and pychic health in young adolescents in greece: results of a population survey. An Bras Dermatol 2012;87:862–9.
Reich A, Trybucka K, Samotij D, Jasiuk B, Srama M, Szepietowski JC. Acne itch: do acne patients suffer from itching. Acta Derm Venereol 2008;88:38-42.
Jonas-Caballero M, Pedrosa E, Penas PF. Self-reported adherence to treatment and quality of life in mild to moderate acne. Dermatology 2008;217:309-14.
Cristin R, Cristin DP, Paolo G, Chinni LM, Fazio M, Ianni A, et al. Insufficient knowledge among psoriasis patients can represent a barrier to participation in decision-making. Acta Derm Venereol 2006;86:528-34.