Patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warranted
Abstract Superficial fungal infections are common worldwide and significantly impact public health. Understanding patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding their treatment and prognosis is essential for addressing gaps in care. This cross-sectional study utilized a self-designed...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98919-8 |
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| author | Yan Ma Wen Cen Meiqing Duan Jing Yang Yan Wang Liang Gao Guizhi Miao Wenli Feng |
| author_facet | Yan Ma Wen Cen Meiqing Duan Jing Yang Yan Wang Liang Gao Guizhi Miao Wenli Feng |
| author_sort | Yan Ma |
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| description | Abstract Superficial fungal infections are common worldwide and significantly impact public health. Understanding patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding their treatment and prognosis is essential for addressing gaps in care. This cross-sectional study utilized a self-designed KAP questionnaire to assess 456 patients with superficial fungal infections between October 15, 2023, and March 15, 2024. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and structural equation modeling. The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 14.85 ± 7.75, 27.01 ± 4.28, and 22.91 ± 4.17, respectively. Key findings revealed that 32% of patients were unsure about long-term treatment, 51% misunderstood corticosteroid use, and 69% believed medications could be stopped once symptoms improved. Significant demographic disparities in KAP scores were observed, highlighting the influence of gender, age, education, and income. Patients exhibit inadequate knowledge, predominantly negative attitudes, and suboptimal practices regarding superficial fungal infections. Targeted educational interventions are crucial for enhancing treatment adherence, addressing misconceptions, and reducing antifungal resistance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e93c6e9d7e3c42ecada6ced6dd44282a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
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| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-e93c6e9d7e3c42ecada6ced6dd44282a2025-08-20T03:52:24ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-011511810.1038/s41598-025-98919-8Patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warrantedYan Ma0Wen Cen1Meiqing Duan2Jing Yang3Yan Wang4Liang Gao5Guizhi Miao6Wenli Feng7Department of Dermatology, The Second Clinic College of Shanxi Medical University, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Clinic College of Shanxi Medical University, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Clinic College of Shanxi Medical University, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Clinic College of Shanxi Medical University, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Clinic College of Shanxi Medical University, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Clinic College of Shanxi Medical University, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Clinic College of Shanxi Medical University, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityDepartment of Dermatology, The Second Clinic College of Shanxi Medical University, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical UniversityAbstract Superficial fungal infections are common worldwide and significantly impact public health. Understanding patients’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding their treatment and prognosis is essential for addressing gaps in care. This cross-sectional study utilized a self-designed KAP questionnaire to assess 456 patients with superficial fungal infections between October 15, 2023, and March 15, 2024. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and structural equation modeling. The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 14.85 ± 7.75, 27.01 ± 4.28, and 22.91 ± 4.17, respectively. Key findings revealed that 32% of patients were unsure about long-term treatment, 51% misunderstood corticosteroid use, and 69% believed medications could be stopped once symptoms improved. Significant demographic disparities in KAP scores were observed, highlighting the influence of gender, age, education, and income. Patients exhibit inadequate knowledge, predominantly negative attitudes, and suboptimal practices regarding superficial fungal infections. Targeted educational interventions are crucial for enhancing treatment adherence, addressing misconceptions, and reducing antifungal resistance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98919-8KnowledgeAttitudePracticeTreatmentSuperficial fungal infections |
| spellingShingle | Yan Ma Wen Cen Meiqing Duan Jing Yang Yan Wang Liang Gao Guizhi Miao Wenli Feng Patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warranted Scientific Reports Knowledge Attitude Practice Treatment Superficial fungal infections |
| title | Patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warranted |
| title_full | Patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warranted |
| title_fullStr | Patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warranted |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warranted |
| title_short | Patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warranted |
| title_sort | patients knowledge attitudes and practices regarding superficial fungal infections suggest public health and patient education are warranted |
| topic | Knowledge Attitude Practice Treatment Superficial fungal infections |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98919-8 |
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