https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7835-8681
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Abstract
Background
The reckless use of over-the-counter (OTC) cosmeceuticals among females is alarming due to possible health hazards, ranging from allergy to fatal anaphylaxis and toxicity.
Methods
In the current study, we investigated the prevalence of cosmeceutical use among female students at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) and tested the effect of a pilot health education program in improving their knowledge. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed with 515 participants.
Results
A significantly higher percent (81%) of participants used OTC cosmeceuticals than did not use them. The selection of OTC cosmeceuticals was not affected by socioeconomic status, chronic illness, cosmeceutical cost, or possible cosmeceutical side effects. Students from non-health colleges demonstrated poorer knowledge scores for the hazards of cosmeceuticals, which directed our attention to the importance of health education in this field. Therefore, a pilot interventional health education program was conducted with 54 participants to compare their knowledge before and after the intervention. At the end of the program, a higher percentage of participants had improved their knowledge and realized the need to consult a physician before using OTC cosmeceuticals.
Conclusion
The health education program had a significant impact on knowledge concerning the use of cosmeceuticals, and it is recommended that such programs be included in undergraduate extracurricular activity, especially for female students..
Abbreviations
OTC, over-the-counter; PNU, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University.
Data Sharing Statement
Data are available with the primary author.
Ethics Approval and Informed Consent
This work was conducted after institutional review board (IRB) approval from PNU, registered under the number H-01-R-059 on 23/11/2017.
Consent for Publication
A cover consent form and a participant information sheet were distributed, and verbal consent to participate was provided by each participant.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful to Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University for supporting this research through Future pioneers’ program in Deanship of scientific research. A provisional abstract of this work was accepted for a poster presentation at the Second Medical Students Research Forum at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1–2 February 2019).
Author Contributions
All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.