INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH & MEDICAL RESEARCH ISSN(print): 2833-213X, ISSN(online): 2833-2148 Volume 02 Issue 07 July 2023 DOI : 10.58806/ijhmr.2023.v2i7n06 Page No.-195-205 IJHMR, Volume 2 Issue 7 July 2023 www.ijhmr.com Page 195 Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Common Skin Health Problems among Secondary Schools Students in Anaocha Local Government Area, Southeast Nigeria Afamefuna Obumneme Onyeogulu 1 , Kelechi Raphael Onyenemezu 2 , Chukwuemelie Darlington Okeke 3 , John Chiedu Ubah 4 , Tobechukwu Chinenye Ezike 5 , Theophilus Nwanyigor Agbo 6 1 Department of internal Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria 2, 5 College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Tennessee, USA 3 Department of Internal Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria 4 Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton, UK 6 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria ABSTRACT Background: Dermatological conditions are commonly associated with low mortality rates, but they significantly contribute to morbidity globally. The burden of certain common skin diseases is remarkably higher among adolescents, and associated with psychosocial and physical impacts. This study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude, and perception of common skin diseases among secondary school students in Anaocha. Methodology: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 395 secondary school students in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra state using a multistage stratified sampling technique with an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25. Results: There were 178 (45.1%) males and 217 (54.9%) females with an average age of 14.27 years ± 1.52. The respondents' knowledge of acne, tinea capitis, and scabies was found to have an overall score of 43.29% ± 13.26. 78.2% of respondents showed a strong perception of common skin health challenges, and 84.3% showed a decisive attitude toward them. The level of knowledge was significantly associated with the student’s academic class and gender. Conclusion: Overall knowledge of common skin conditions was poor and there was a high rate of misconceptions along with the tendency for self-medication. Though most respondents showed a decisive attitude towards these conditions, there is a high potential for neglect of care for skin diseases in general including sinister ones. Therefore, health education on common skin conditions should be intensified within all secondary schools in Anambra state to improve the knowledge of students on these important conditions. KEYWORDS: Acne, Dermatosis, Pityriasis versicolor, Scabies, Skin diseases, Tinea capitis 1.0 INTRODUCTION The skin is the largest organ in the human body, making up about 15 percent of the total adult body weight. 1 It is composed of three distinct layers, the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue. Nestled within the layers of the skin are other specialized structures collectively known as skin adnexa. These include hair follicles, sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, and apocrine glands. The skin, skin adnexa, and nails are collectively referred to as the integumentary system. This system plays several important roles related to immunity, sensory perception, thermoregulation, water homeostasis, protecting against mechanical, thermal, and physical injury, and so on. 2 Therefore, any structural, functional, or biochemical derangement of any of the components of the integumentary system may manifest in a myriad of symptoms and signs. Skin lesions are collectively referred to as dermatoses. Although many serious pathologies are associated with some form of dermatoses, the vast majority of skin health problems are not life-threatening or serious and are typically acute or self-limiting conditions. 3 Adolescence is the phase of life between the ages of 10 and 19 years. 4 It is characterized by significant biopsychosocial, developmental and behavioral changes such as the formation of the concept of “self”, self-image, self-esteem, risk assessment, social standing, peer influence, and the emergence of romantic relationships. 4,5 Certain dermatoses are more common among secondary school students, particularly in our environment. This is due to the physiological changes which occur during puberty, increased risk of cross-transmission of communicable skin