Assessment of Skin related Quality of Life among University Students of Rawalpindi City

Abstract

Background: Skin diseases being ranked as fourth most common cause of human illness. Skin diseases can affect population of every age group especially adolescents. As, many affected people do not consult a physician and ultimately resulting in an increase among dermatological disorders. Therefore, early detection and treatment can lower the burden of diseases. Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess skin related quality of life and its association with socio-demographic factors and skin related characteristics among university students studying at public and private institutes of Rawalpindi city. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out at public and private institutes of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. A total of 330 university students at public and private institutes were selected through multi-stage random sampling. The data was collected through self-administered questionnaire. Assessment of skin related quality of life was done using DLQI (Dermatological life quality index) scale. Pearson Chi-square test of Independence was applied to check the association of socio-demographic factors and skin related questions with DLQI. Results: Out of 330 respondents, majority were females (n= 172, 52.1%) and were 18-20 years of age (n= 147, 44.5%). Respondents visits to clinic each year were recorded as once a year (n= 67, 20.3%), twice a year (n=66, 20.0%) and who never had a visit to skin clinic were (n=137, 41.5%). DLQI score showing very and extremely large effect on respondent’s quality of life were (63.3%), those having moderate effect were (20.3%), those with small and no effect at all were (16.4%). DLQI had a significant association with age of respondent, gender, institute of respondent, pocket money and type of living of respondent (p≤ 0.05). DLQI also showed v significant association with respondent’s skin problems, family skin issues, perceived respondent confidence level in general, number of visits to skin clinic, reasons for visiting skin clinic, healthy skin diets, use of skin cream, knowledge about harmful skin products and preference for skin products regarding price (p≤ 0.005). Conclusion: The study concluded that skin related QOL of most respondents were very and extremely largely affected. The study revealed more worst quality of life among males than females, mostly of age group 21-23 years and respondents from low-socio-economic background. Mostly respondents were having positive family history of skin diseases. Respondents also reported a lot of problems in daily routine activities due to skin related issues. Key Words: Assessment, Quality of life, Dermatological Life Quality Index, University students.