title: Prevalence of acne and its impact on the quality of life in school-aged adolescents in Malaysia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of facial acne and its impact on the quality of life among adolescents attending secondary schools in Muar, Malaysia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted where 409 samples were selected using stratified cluster random sampling from two secondary schools in Muar, involving Form 1 to Form 5 students. Students were diagnosed clinically and the severity of facial acne was assessed using Global Acne Grading System. A self-reported Cardiff Acne Disability Index was used to assess the quality of life among adolescents who had acne.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of facial acne among the adolescents was 67.5% (n = 276). Facial acne increased with increasing age (p = 0.001). It was more common among males (71.1%) than females (64.6%), p = 0.165. The males also had a higher prevalence of severe acne (p = 0.001). The quality of life was affected by the severity of acne. Students with severe acne had higher levels of Cardiff Acne Disability Index (rho = 0.521).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Facial acne is a common disorder and appears to have a considerable impact on quality of life among adolescents. The above findings should alert health care professionals and the school authorities to actively identify, manage and educate adolescents with facial acne.
authors.affiliation: Muar District of Health, Muar, Johor, Malaysia. ihanisah@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Arshad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hanisah
authors.forename: Khairani
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Omar
authors.forename: Shamsul Azhar
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005145:Face; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors