Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dandruff among soldiers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding dandruff among soldiers.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Departments of Dermatology at Combined Military Hospitals, Abbottabad, Malir and Gujranwala from January 2006 to March 2006.


METHODS
Serving male soldiers posted at Abbottabad, Malir and Gujranwala Cantonments were included in the study. Convenience sampling was used to distribute the questionnaire. All soldiers included in the study were asked or assisted by the trained staff to fill the close-ended questionnaire in Urdu, which included information about demographic profile and questions relevant to the objectives of the study. The ethical requirements for the study were fulfilled. SPSS-10 was used for data management.


RESULTS
A total of 800 serving male soldiers were surveyed. Five hundred and twenty-one soldiers (65.1%) answered yes to dandruff, whereas 279 (34.9%) replied in negative. Dandruff was considered a disease by 433 (83.1%) respondents. Hair fall (n=392, 75.2%) and scalp itching (n=380, 72.9%) were the common symptoms and 330 (63.3%) respondents were embarrassed by dandruff. Bad water (n=93, 17.8%), winter (n=40, 07.6%) and lack of sleep (n=30, 05.7%) were considered the most common causes of dandruff. Majority of the individuals (n=487, 93.4%) used different hair oils and household remedies for the treatment of dandruff. One hundred and fourteen (21.9%) and 50 (09.6%) participants consulted doctors and traditional healers respectively for their dandruff. Advertisements in electronic or print media and wall hoardings etc. influenced 213 (40.9%) respondents to use various anti-dandruff shampoos, hair tonics and oils.


CONCLUSIONS
Dandruff is a common problem and there is a need for education programmes and formulation of a policy regarding the positive role of media on health matters.
Raza
Naeem
N
Department of Dermatology, Combined Military Hospital, Abbottabad. naeemraza561@hotmail.com
Ejaz
Amer
A
Ahmed
Muhammad Khurram
MK
D000328:Adult; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology; D010154:Pakistan; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires