Prevalence, Awareness, and PsychologicalEffects of Acne Vulgaris among theUniversity Students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Introduction: This article discusses acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting pilosebaceous glands.
Clinically, it presents as comedones, papules, pustules, cysts, and nodules, and can potentially lead to scarring. While
the health risks associated with acne are generally minimal, its impact on psychological well-being can be profound,
particularly among adolescents and young adults. Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of acne
vulgaris among university students in Saudi Arabia, assess their level of awareness, and examine its psychological
impact. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2025 using a selfadministered questionnaire. The study focused on Saudi university students aged 18 years and older, who were
recruited through social media platforms. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: Demographic information,
knowledge and awareness of acne, and the psychological impact of the condition. The psychological impact was
assessed using the Cardiff acne disability index (CADI) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). The
sample size was calculated to include 384 participants to ensure adequate representation and robust statistical power.
Results: A total of 393 participants were included (mean age 29.56 ± 12.08 years), of whom 57.8% were female.
Overall, 89.1% reported a history of acne. Acne onset most commonly occurred between 13 and 16 years (55.4%),
with moderate severity reported by 49.7% of affected participants. More than half of the participants had poor
knowledge/awareness (54.5%), 35.9% were moderate, and 9.7% achieved a good level. For CADI, 59.4% had
minimal disability, 31.7% had moderate impact, and 8.9% were classified as severe impact. For DLQI, 41.1% had
no effect, 34.6% had a small effect, 22.0% had a moderate effect, and 2.3% had a significant effect on quality of
life. Acne severity was significantly associated with higher CADI and DLQI scores (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Acne
vulgaris is highly prevalent among Saudi university students and is associated with substantial knowledge gaps and
measurable psychosocial burden. These findings highlight the need for targeted educational initiatives and early,
evidence-based dermatological care to reduce disease-related psychological impact.