Personal Hygiene Practices

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 23 views

The Relationship Between Facial Hygiene and the Incident of Akne Vulgaris in the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra

Introduction

Akne Vulgaris: A Common Skin Disease Among Adolescents and Young Adults

Akne Vulgaris is one of the most common skin diseases, especially among adolescents and young adults. This disease is characterized by inflammation of the pilosebaseus unit, which can bring up various forms such as papules, nodules, blackheads, pustules, and cysts. Akne Vulgaris not only has the potential to cause scars, but also changes skin pigments. The main causes of this AKNE include excessive sebum production, hyperkeratinization of the pilosebasea follicles, the growth of bacteria *propionibacterium acnes *, and inflammation.

The Importance of Facial Hygiene in Maintaining Skin Health

Facial hygiene is an important aspect of skin health and is a priority in the practice of personal hygiene. By maintaining facial cleanliness, we can reduce the presence of bacteria, dirt, and microorganisms that can cause skin problems. This process is carried out by cleaning sebum and dirt from the skin without removing lipid barrier which serves to protect the face. In this context, this study aims to determine the relationship between facial hygiene and the incident of Akne Vulgaris in students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra.

Methodology

In this study, the design used is observational analytic with a cross-sectional approach. The data collected comes from a questionnaire that is filled directly by respondents and secondary data from the Student Directory. The population that became the object of research was all students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2018, 2019, and 2020. From this population, the number of samples was set as many as 88 subjects using stratified random sampling techniques. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software and tested by the Chi-Square method.

Results

The results showed that students' behavior in maintaining facial hygiene was quite good, with 90% of respondents reported frequent cleaning faces. However, the incidence of Akne Vulgaris in students reached 52.2%. The special use of facial washing soap is also quite high, which is 84.4%, with a facial cleaning frequency 1-2 times a day reaching 72.2%. The age of 21 years was recorded as the group that suffered the most Akne Vulgaris, with a percentage of 21.1%. Meanwhile, women experience more akne vulgaris than men, with a number of 32.2% and 20% respectively.

Discussion

Although good face hygiene seems to play a role in reducing the risk of AKNE, data analysis shows that there is no significant relationship between facial hygiene and the event of the acne vulgaris, with a p-value of 0.232. This shows that other factors may also contribute to the occurrence of Akne Vulgaris among students, such as hormonal factors, eating patterns, and stress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although facial hygiene is an important step in maintaining skin health, this research underlines that other aspects must also be considered in an effort to prevent Akne Vulgaris, especially for students who are vulnerable to this skin problem. Education about the right cleanliness of the face and understanding of the more comprehensive causes of Akne is very important to reduce the prevalence of AKNE among students.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Education and Awareness: Educational programs should be implemented to raise awareness about the importance of facial hygiene and the causes of Akne Vulgaris.
Personal Hygiene Practices: Students should be encouraged to maintain good personal hygiene practices, including regular facial cleaning and the use of facial washing soap.
Comprehensive Approach: A comprehensive approach should be taken to address the causes of Akne Vulgaris, including hormonal factors, eating patterns, and stress.
Research and Development: Further research should be conducted to identify the underlying causes of Akne Vulgaris and to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample Size: The sample size of this study was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Data Collection: The data collected in this study was based on self-reported information, which may be subject to bias and error.
Measurement Tools: The measurement tools used in this study may not have been sensitive enough to detect the relationship between facial hygiene and the incidence of Akne Vulgaris.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Identifying the Underlying Causes of Akne Vulgaris: Further research should be conducted to identify the underlying causes of Akne Vulgaris, including hormonal factors, eating patterns, and stress.
Developing Effective Prevention and Treatment Strategies: Research should be conducted to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies for Akne Vulgaris, including the use of facial washing soap and other personal hygiene practices.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Educational Programs: Educational programs should be evaluated to determine their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of Akne Vulgaris among students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Relationship Between Facial Hygiene and Akne Vulgaris

Q: What is Akne Vulgaris?

A: Akne Vulgaris is a common skin disease characterized by inflammation of the pilosebaseus unit, which can bring up various forms such as papules, nodules, blackheads, pustules, and cysts.

Q: What are the main causes of Akne Vulgaris?

A: The main causes of Akne Vulgaris include excessive sebum production, hyperkeratinization of the pilosebasea follicles, the growth of bacteria *propionibacterium acnes *, and inflammation.

Q: Why is facial hygiene important in preventing Akne Vulgaris?

A: Facial hygiene is important in preventing Akne Vulgaris because it helps to reduce the presence of bacteria, dirt, and microorganisms that can cause skin problems.

Q: What is the relationship between facial hygiene and Akne Vulgaris?

A: The study found that there is no significant relationship between facial hygiene and the event of the acne vulgaris, with a p-value of 0.232.

Q: What are some other factors that may contribute to the occurrence of Akne Vulgaris?

A: Other factors that may contribute to the occurrence of Akne Vulgaris include hormonal factors, eating patterns, and stress.

Q: What can students do to prevent Akne Vulgaris?

A: Students can take several steps to prevent Akne Vulgaris, including:

Maintaining good personal hygiene practices, including regular facial cleaning and the use of facial washing soap.
Eating a balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Getting regular exercise and practicing stress-reducing techniques, such as meditation or yoga.
Avoiding picking or popping pimples, which can lead to scarring and infection.

Q: What are some effective prevention and treatment strategies for Akne Vulgaris?

A: Some effective prevention and treatment strategies for Akne Vulgaris include:

Using topical retinoids or benzoyl peroxide to reduce inflammation and prevent clogged pores.
Using oral antibiotics or hormonal medications to treat underlying causes of Akne Vulgaris.
Using laser or light therapy to reduce inflammation and prevent scarring.
Practicing good skin care habits, including regular cleansing and moisturizing.

Q: How can students get help if they are experiencing Akne Vulgaris?

A: Students who are experiencing Akne Vulgaris can get help from:

A dermatologist or other healthcare professional who specializes in skin care.
A school nurse or counselor who can provide guidance and support.
Online resources and support groups that can provide information and connection with others who are experiencing similar issues.

Q: What are some resources available for students who are experiencing Akne Vulgaris?

A: Some resources available for students who are experiencing Akne Vulgaris include:

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) website, which provides information and resources on skin care and skin diseases.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) website, which provides information and resources on skin diseases and conditions.
Online support groups and forums, such as the Akne Vulgaris Support Group on Facebook, which provide a space for students to connect with others who are experiencing similar issues.