Introduction: Seborrheic dermatitis (SD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory condition affecting sebaceous gland–rich areas like scalp, face and chest. Despite its prevalence, knowledge gaps persist among health-profession students, underscoring the need for better educational strategies. Assessing their knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) regarding SD, along with factors influencing treatment adherence, is essential for improving early recognition and management.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 500 students of different health professions aged 18–26 years at our Academy. Students who had or had suffered from seborrheic dermatitis within the past three years were included. Validated questionnaire containing 21 items was used to assess KAP. Data expressed as frequency and percentages and associations assessed using Chi-square test, p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: 80.2% of participants demonstrated good knowledge regarding SD, recognizing Malassezia species as the main etiological agent. Attitude of managing recurrence was 53.4% and adherence towards treatment was 69.8%. Regular scalp hygiene was followed by 92.4% and periodic dermatologist follow-up 53%. Compliance with management practices was relatively low. Despite adequate knowledge, no significant associations (p > 0.05) were observed between knowledge, attitude, and practice.
Conclusion: Students had good knowledge about seborrheic dermatitis, their practice, adherence and attitude were suboptimal. Educational reinforcement is essential to bridge this gap and promote evidence-based dermatological practices.
Keywords: Seborrheic dermatitis, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, health professions.
How to cite this article: Prem K, Sarala N, Study to assess the understanding and knowledge regarding the treatment of seborrheic dermatitis among students - A Cross-Sectional Study. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(2s): 306-310; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.306-310