Knowledge About Acne For Teens: Education Programs Can Be Effective

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Main Category: Dermatology
Also Included In: Primary Care / General Practice;  Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Public Health
Article Date: 26 Feb 2008 - 19:00 PDT

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Written handouts and computerized presentations with audiovisual components can both be beneficial when educating adolescents about acne, as published in a report in February of 2008 in the Archives of Dermatology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.

While an enormous number of teens have acne, there is also significant misunderstanding surrounding its treatment and its causes. This has been shown in previous studies, according to the article: "Surveys of patients with acne in academic and community settings have revealed widespread misconceptions regarding acne's pathogenesis, natural course and response to therapy." Similar surveys show that patients get their information about acne from television, parents, friends, and magazines.

A study was performed by Phoebe E. Koch, M.D., of the Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. and colleagues, studying teens aged 13 to 17 who visited either a private dermatology practice or one of three general pediatric clinics. A short questionnaire was given to assess their existing awareness of acne, then were assigned by random coin toss to received either written information (45 teens) or an audiovisual presentation (35 teens.) Another quiz was given immediately following the information session, and then another one month later. Common false impressions about acne and information about the causes, factors that make it worse, and treatment options were discussed by both educational tools.

Both groups of teens generally scored higher on the acne knowledge test in both follow up quizzes. No significant advantage was found in either group before or after the information session, so the two methods can be considered equally effective. "The results of our study support the notion that computerized audiovisual presentations serve as effective teaching tools in the clinic and may relieve the burden on busy health care providers," write the authors.

Since this improvement was shown in all groups of patients, the researchers are optimistic for the future of education regarding acne. "The improvement in knowledge scores achieved by most participants, including those who had previously seen a physician for their acne, is consistent with previous research in suggesting there is room for improvement in acne education," the authors conclude. "Future studies could provide additional clarification regarding the specific combination of educational interventions that may be most effective and feasible in the setting of an outpatient clinic. In addition, future research could evaluate the effect that increased knowledge about acne might have on an adolescent population in terms of self-confidence, compliance with skin care regimen and, most notably, improved clinical outcomes."

Educating Adolescents About Acne Vulgaris: A Comparison of Written Handouts With Audiovisual Computerized Presentations
Phoebe E. Koch, MD; Hilary F. Ryder, MD; James Dziura, PhD; Valentine Njike, MD, MPH; Richard J. Antaya, MD
Arch Dermatol. 2008;144(2):208-214.
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Written by Anna Sophia McKenney
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