Self-practice among patients with psoriasis: University hospital experience

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to assess the self-care practices of patients with psoriasis and factors affecting them. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 adult patients with confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis. Each patient underwent a personal structured interview with the physician using two predetermined questionnaires, one for assessing self-care practices and another for evaluating patients’ knowledge of their disease and sociodemographic and clinical features. Results Most studied patients had poor level of self-care practices and knowledge. Patients’ level of self-care was positively associated with the level of the knowledge of their disease. Poor level of self-care practice was significantly associated with low level of education, disease severity, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score. Conclusion Patients with low level of education or disease knowledge will mostly have poor self-care behavior.