Acne and Public Health

INTRODUCTION:  Acne has incidence values around 80% in teenagers and young adults. Due to this high prevalence in particularly sensitive ages, acne becomes relevant at the public health care level, mainly because there are other associated disturbances. Our aim is to investigate the impact of acne on young adult and to contribute to the study of the psychological characteristics of the individual with acne. In psychotherapy, patients without visible marks of acne experience, report it with a great emotional charge, that the time elapsed has not dissipated. This fact prompted us to have an interest in identifying the variables that cause the experience of acne to be felt as a trauma.

METHODS:  

The combination of observation, reflection and bibliographical review carried out led us to affirm that, in individuals with acne, it is expected to find: Decrease in the quality of dermatological life; Increasing levels of depression, anxiety and/or stress; Use of strategies of coping adapted to the problem-situation, acne; Disturbance in the ability to symbolize and modulate emotional experiences.

In study I a qualitative approach was used: 45 semi-structured interviews to patients with acne and/or who have suffered from it and to 30 health care professionals. The content analysis of this material enabled the construction of an instrument, ICA - Inventory of beliefs and behaviours about the acne and its treating process.

RESULTS:  

In study II a quantitative methodology was used and we collected from the population a pilot sample (N=364) that substantiate the restructuring of the main protocol applied in study III to university students (N=1665).

In study IV 95 dermatologists took part as specialists, providing their own answers to ICA. This is being compared with the results obtained from previous studies.

CONCLUSIONS:  

As a conclusion, we will perform a comparative analysis of the results obtained in the study II and III - study V.