ArticlePloS one2021
Adolescents' beliefs and perceptions of acne vulgaris: A cross-sectional study in Montenegrin schoolchildren.
Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed.
- Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding acne among university students.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Patients with Moderate to Severe Acne Regarding Oral Medication Therapy: A Structural Equation Modeling Analysis.Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology · 2026Article
- From Monotherapy to Adjunctive Therapies: Application of Dermocosmetics in Acne Management Across Australia and New Zealand.The Australasian journal of dermatology · 2025Review
- The impact of adolescent acne vulgaris on CDLQI and DFIS: What does it depend on?Northern clinics of Istanbul · 2025Article
- A Mini Review Validating the Therapeutic Potential ofTheScientificWorldJournal · 2025Review
- Epidemiology and Perception of Acne Among Adolescents in Jos, Nigeria: Cross-Sectional School-Based Study.JMIR dermatology · 2023Article
- Knowledge and Treatment Behaviour of Acne Vulgaris among Female Students of University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.Indian journal of dermatologyArticle
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAcne is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with a high prevalence in adolescent and early adult years. The aim of this study was to assess the self-perceived beliefs of Montenegrin secondary school pupils regarding the acne aggravating and ameliorating factors.
methodsThis cross-sectional survey of the pupils was conducted during October and November 2020 in four randomly selected public secondary schools in Podgorica, Montenegro. All 500 pupils were asked to fill in a questionnaire that included questions on age, sex, presence of acne, perceived acne aggravating and ameliorating factors, and sources of their information about acne.
resultsA total of 500 pupils, 234 (46.8%) boys, and 266 (53.2%) girls, aged 14-17 years, participated in the study. Acne was self-reported in 249 (49.8%) pupils, whereas 251 (50.2%) did not report acne. Factors most often believed to aggravate acne were inadequate face washing (85.0%), hormones (84.0%), sweets (82.0%), greasy food (72.6%), makeup (71.2%), and stress (67.8%). Overall the most prevalent acne ameliorating factors were cosmetic treatment (80.4%), increased water consumption (77.6%), a diet change to a healthier food choice (77.4%), and being on school holidays (62.2%). Girls reported more frequently that genetics, stress, sweets consumption, inadequate face wash, and makeup are acne exacerbating factors, whilst cosmetic treatment, increased water consumption, smoking, and being on school holidays are acne ameliorating factors. Boys more frequently considered the benefit of losing weight. There was no statistically significant difference between pupils with and without acne in perceived factors, except for cosmetic treatment. Those with acne more frequently believed in the benefits of cosmetic treatment.
conclusionsMany adolescents' self-perceived beliefs about factors that aggravate and ameliorate acne are myths and misconceptions without evidence-based justification. More efforts are needed to educate pupils about the acne aggravating and ameliorating factors, its health-related consequences, and the treatment possibilities.
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