Chronic hand eczema: perception and knowledge in non-affected individuals from general and dermatological practice

Adolescents' Knowledge and Attitudes Related to Hand Eczema: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Hand eczema (HE) is a common inflammatory skin disease occurring in subjects of any age. Literature data on knowledge of HE in different age-groups are scarce.

Purpose

To evaluate knowledge and attitudes related to HE among adolescents.

Methods

A total of 258 high school students were invited to participate in this project. A specially designed questionnaire created on the base of previous studies was used to assess adolescents' knowledge of HE. HE was self-reported answering the validated single question "Have you ever had hand eczema?"

Results

Data from 243 students (94.2% response rate) were obtained for final analysis. There were 117 (48.1%) females and 126 (51.9%), males with a mean age of 16.0±1.7 years. Sixty-eight students (28%) reported a personal history of HE, and 32.8% declared having knowledge of HE. More females than males (P=0.023) declared that they knew what HE was (39.3% and 26.2%, respectively). Hand cream was used on a regular basis by 49% of adolescents. Females used hand cream more frequently (P<0.001) than males. No difference in declared knowledge of HE was found between subjects with and without a personal history of hand lesions. Students declaring having adequate knowledge of HE used hand cream more commonly (P=0.045).

Conclusion

Although HE is a common disease in the general population, including adolescents, less than a third of subjects were aware of this entity. Almost half were using hand cream, but interestingly, personal history of HE did not increase the regular application of hand cream.

Media and Social Factors Influencing Stigma towards Eczema Patients: A Survey Study in Singapore

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Eczema is a common skin health issue in Singapore. A salient challenge eczema patients are facing is the stigma towards them, which has been relatively unacknowledged. It is critical to reduce stigma towards eczema patients, and an essential step is to identify factors influencing stigmatizing behavior.

METHODS

With a general basis of the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction, we conducted a cross-sectional online survey (N=293) in the context of Singapore. The sample was recruited via the online panel of a survey company, Rakuten Insights. Our sample's age and education level generally fit with the population in Singapore.

RESULTS

Media exposure to eczema content did not influence stigmatizing behavior either directly or indirectly. However, personal connection with eczema patients reduced stigma indirectly, completely mediated by stigmatizing attitude towards eczema patients and health literacy. That is, personal connection with eczema patients had a negative relationship with stigmatizing attitude, which was positively associated with the intention of and actual stigmatizing behavior. On the other hand, personal connection increased health literacy, which in turn reduced stigmatizing intention and behavior.

CONCLUSIONS

We call for more future initiatives to fight against health stigma. Health promotion can take advantage of eczema patients' social network to educate the general public about the eczema issue to lower stigma. Public policy responses to prevent discrimination on the basis of skin health are also needed. Media organizations should use news media and social media to speak out against stigma towards eczema patients, and avoid using stigmatizing language.