Sahar S. Alsifri

Background/Objectives: Acne is a common skin condition that is characterized by the manifestation of comedones, erythematous papules, pustules, and nodules over follicular areas. A huge contributing factor in the pathogenesis is colonization by Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) (formerly Propionibacterium acnes). Conventional treatments for acne range from topical to systemic agents with variable side effects and safety profiles. Adherence to prescribed treatments for acne is a huge challenge. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted among 198 patients with dermatologist-confirmed acne vulgaris at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah. Eligible participants had received topical and/or systemic treatment for at least one month. Exclusion criteria included other acne variants and inflammatory follicular disorders. Data on sociodemographics, medical and treatment history, and clinical characteristics were collected using a structured questionnaire. Treatment adherence was assessed with the validated ECOB scale. Associations between adherence and relevant variables were analyzed using Chi-squared and Mann–Whitney tests in SPSS v26, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Non-adherence to anti-acne medications was 50.5% and was significantly associated with experiencing side effects, particularly skin dryness, and with moderate acne severity and topical treatment (p ≤ 0.05). No significant associations were found between adherence and demographic or medical history variables. Conclusions: Adherence to acne treatment remains a significant challenge for many patients. Improving patient education, addressing concerns about side effects, and providing practical support may help patients follow their prescribed therapies more consistently. Incorporating tools like the ECOB questionnaire into routine dermatology visits can support ongoing assessment and better management of treatment adherence.

Background: Intentional outdoor tanning is the process through which people expose their skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation to darken their skin color toward brown or bronze. UV radiation is a well-known modifiable risk factor for photoaging, photoallergic reactions, and phototoxicity. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the behaviors and knowledge of intentional outdoor tanning among adults in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1023 adults from the general population who met the eligibility criteria. Data were collected in October and November 2022 using an electronic questionnaire to assess the sociodemographic data, behaviors, and knowledge of the participants related to intentional outdoor tanning. Results: Overall, 24.5% of the participants intentionally tanned outdoors, the majority of which (203, 80.9%) were exposed to the sun for more than 20 minutes. The participants who intentionally tan outdoors were significantly younger than those who do not (32 ± 10.7 vs. 38.4 ± 13.9, respectively, P <0.001). Most of the participants had good knowledge of the disadvantages of sun exposure on the skin (61.3%). Additionally, good knowledge was significantly more prevalent in women (70.3%) than men (48.6%) (P <0.001). Conclusion: Individuals who intentionally tan outdoors engage in other behaviors or beliefs that increase exposure to UV rays. This points to the need for comprehensive interventions such as community-counseling campaigns to address these new trends and their relationship with photoaging and skin cancer.