WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Jehan Jaafar Sadeq*, Ban Abdul-Ridha Salman Al-Hashimi

ABSTRACT

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder caused by immune-mediated pathways with multifactorial triggers. It has significant physical, psychological, and social burdens. The present study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge and self-care practices among patients with psoriasis and to correlate them with sociodemographic data. Method: A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Center of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical City, Baghdad, from May to August 2025. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample of 250 adults with clinically confirmed psoriasis of ≥6 months duration. Assessment of knowledge was done with the use of a 33-item questionnaire and self-care practices with 26 items. Data were collected through direct interviews and analyzed using SPSS. Results: The majority (n = 205, 82.0%) had a diagnosis for more than a year, and (n=111, 44.4%) said they had a family history of psoriasis. Digital and personal sources were used less frequently than medical staff. Just (n=1, 0.4%) of patients had strong understanding, (n=113, 45.2%) had low knowledge, and (n=136, 54.4%) had fair knowledge. Significant associations were observed with the educational attainment as well as exposure to advanced treatment modalities. Regarding self-care practices, 55 (22.0%) classified as good, 140 (56.0%) as fair, and 55 (22.0%) as poor. Conclusion: Most patients demonstrated only fair knowledge of psoriasis, with persistent misconceptions regarding comorbidities and treatment risks. In self-care practice, more than half of the patients demonstrate fair practice. Future research should focus on larger multicenter studies testing culturally tailored educational programs through interventional trials is recommended to provide evidence for policy-level adoption.

[Full Text Article] [Download Certificate]