Category: Federal Forum Posters
Purpose: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disorder of adolescents that has major physical and psychological impact. Proper counseling is needed to alleviate acne vulgaris signs and to provide appropriate education. The objectives of this study were to compare the effect of two different counseling methods, face-to-face counseling versus website-based counseling, on the improvement in knowledge about acne vulgaris among university students; to detect knowledge retention one month after the counseling; and to evaluate satisfaction of participants with the two counseling methods.
Methods: An interventional study was conducted on first and second year university students in a private university in Bekaa governorate, Lebanon, in 2018. Students, from different majors, with acne vulgaris, were selected. Two clinical pharmacists conducted the study, using a set of questionnaires and tests, including a questionnaire for demographic data, followed by a pre-test composed of multiple-choice questions to detect baseline knowledge about acne vulgaris. After the pre-test, participants were randomly assigned to receive counseling about acne vulgaris by one of two methods: face-to-face counseling by the clinical pharmacists, aided by a handout, or website-based counseling using an in-house website about acne vulgaris specially developed for the study. Both counseling methods offered the same information about acne vulgaris pathophysiology, risk factors, medications, and education. Immediately following the counseling by either of the two methods, a post-test was administered to assess knowledge improvement. Moreover, a participant satisfaction questionnaire was used to evaluate each of the two methods. One month later, the post-test was repeated to determine knowledge retention. Pre- and post-tests were corrected and graded out of 24. Descriptive and univariate analyses for independent and paired groups were performed using SPSS version 17.
Results: One-hundred-and-twelve students were recruited for the study, 85% were females, with a mean age of 20.0 ± 1.5 years. Eighty percent felt that they learn better using face-to-face learning methods, with reading and listening together, compared to computer-based methods. No association was found between type of counseling and baseline characteristics. Pre- and post-test scores showed improvement (P-value <0.05) in both groups in all questions. The website-based counseling method scores had a mean rise from 9.7 ± 4.0 to 16.1 ± 4.0, and face-to-face counseling method from 9.8 ± 4.0 to 15.3 ± 4.2 in the pre- and post-tests respectively. There was no significant difference between the two counseling methods. The retention of knowledge after one month was observed in both website-based counseling method with a mean score of 14.0 ± 6.0 and face-to-face counseling method with a mean score of 15.0 ± 5.0. As a whole, 70% of participants were satisfied with the counseling sessions. Seventy-seven percent considered that the study helped them understand acne. However, participants in the face-to face group were more satisfied with the counseling session compared to the website group.
Conclusion: The face-to-face and the website-based counseling methods were both effective and comparable in improving knowledge about acne vulgaris among university students, despite face-to-face counseling method being considered more enjoyable by participants. Both methods may be used by pharmacists to successfully deliver information about acne vulgaris. The website-based method offers a promising opportunity for counseling, and is as effective as traditional methods. Given the wide use of the Internet and technology among such population, the website-based counseling can support pharmacist counseling to provide and allow retention of knowledge about common disorders like acne vulgaris.
Hiba Saty
– Pharm.D. Candidate, Lebanese International University, Khiara, Beqaa, Lebanon239 Views