Qinggui Shi, Hong Zhai, Pingnan Liu, Hongju Pang, Xingfang Cui, Xu Zhang, Fengguan Liang, Song Lin, Zhengbo Liu, Rui Chen, Yanchao Zeng, Ming Gong
Participants demonstrated limited perceived knowledge, generally positive attitudes, and suboptimal self-management practices related to seborrheic dermatitis. Furthermore, attitudes were statistically associated with both knowledge and practices, highlighting that knowledge alone is insufficient for effective self-management. Clinically, prospective studies are needed to determine whether a structured approach to patient education combined with counseling focused on patients' underlying beliefs can improve long-term disease control and treatment adherence.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding seborrheic dermatitis among patients with seborrheic dermatitis.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 12 to October 31, 2025, at the Liupanshui Municipal People's Hospital, China. Data were collected using a structured, pilot-tested Chinese questionnaire that assessed demographic characteristics and three KAP dimensions.
RESULTS: A total of 387 patients were included, with a mean age of 31.8 years; most were female (70.5%) and had an associate degree or higher (64.9%). The mean knowledge score was 8.81 ± 6.74 (possible range: 0-22), the mean attitude score was 30.80 ± 3.34 (possible range: 8-40), and the mean practice score was 32.07 ± 7.13 (possible range: 10-50). Knowledge scores were below the 70% threshold, whereas attitude scores exceeded the threshold and practice scores did not. Knowledge was positively correlated with attitudes (r = 0.327, P < 0.001) and practices (r = 0.530, P < 0.001), and attitudes were positively correlated with practices (r = 0.515, P < 0.001). Structural equation modeling showed a significant direct statistical association between knowledge and attitudes (β = 0.798, P = 0.004) and between attitudes and practices (β = 1.028, P = 0.010), with knowledge demonstrating an indirect statistical association with practices through attitudes (β = 0.820, P = 0.005).
CONCLUSION: Participants demonstrated limited perceived knowledge, generally positive attitudes, and suboptimal self-management practices related to seborrheic dermatitis. Furthermore, attitudes were statistically associated with both knowledge and practices, highlighting that knowledge alone is insufficient for effective self-management. Clinically, prospective studies are needed to determine whether a structured approach to patient education combined with counseling focused on patients' underlying beliefs can improve long-term disease control and treatment adherence.