title: Opinions and perceptions on acne: a community-based questionnaire study in Thai students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the opinions and perceptions on acne and the effect of acne on the quality of life in Thai teenagers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five hundred ninety seven students of five high schools in Bangkok were administered a self-reported questionnaire about acne. Of these, 537 students were further examined by dermatologists to grade acne severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study population consisted of 392 (65.7%) female and 205 (34.3%) male. More than half believed that inadequate sleep, stress, sweat/exercise/hot weather; cosmetics, pre-menstrual period, oily food, and sun exposure aggravated their acne. Regarding Dermatology life quality index (DLQI), the question concerning embarrassment had the highest mean DLQI score, which reflect the most impact by acne.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some of the Thai adolescents still had misconceptions about the disease. Even mild acne can have an extremely large effect on their quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department ofDermatology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Puan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Suthipinittharm
authors.forename: Nopadon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Noppakun
authors.forename: Kanokvalai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kulthanan
authors.forename: Sukhum
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jiamton
authors.forename: Natta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rajatanavin
authors.forename: Kobkul
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Aunhachoke
authors.forename: Jiroj
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sindhavanonda
authors.forename: Russanee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Akraphan
authors.forename: Araya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manapajon
mesh_terms: D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult