Abstract

Background: Acne is a common chronic inflammation of the skin sebaceous glands, with a prevalence of about 85% in adolescents and adult. It is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. It often appears as pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, or cysts, primarily common during puberty due to hormonal changes but can affect people of all ages. Aim: This study was designed to assess the level of knowledge and perception of acne vulgaris among undergraduate students at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State. Methodology: Descriptive design was adopted for this study, 243 subjects respond to questionnaires (online goggle form). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics with Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results: Majority of the respondents 140(57.8%) were in the age group 21-25years. 169(69.7%) had knowledge that acne is a chronic inflammatory condition while 139(57%) perceived that acne is a serious health problem. There was a statistically significant relationship between gender and knowledge (p<0.05) with females 167(68.9%), displaying higher levels of knowledge about acne compared to males 76(31.1%). Conclussion: It is recommended to health educate the students about acne vulgaris to further enlighten them on the condition. The study revealed high levels of knowledge gap and varied perceptions of acne vulgaris among the respondents. While many respondents are well-informed, misconceptions and reliance on non-medical treatments remain prevalent.

Keywords: Acne vulgaris, Saturated, Knowledge, Perception, Questionnaire