Abstract
BACKGROUND: Misconceptions about psoriasis can negatively influence attitudes toward people diagnosed with the condition as in other developing countries. Health literacy is known to be low, which may further exacerbate negative attitudes toward psoriasis patients. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the attitudes and knowledge levels and associated factors regarding psoriasis among adults in a community-based sample. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 715 individuals (aged ≥ 18 years) who presented to a university hospital. RESULTS: Approximately 60% of the participants in the study did not have sufficient knowledge about psoriasis, and approximately half of them had a negative attitude according to the attitude scale. A moderate negative correlation was found between the psoriasis knowledge score and the psoriasis attitude scale score. According to the multivariate linear regression model, predictors of a positive attitude toward psoriasis were identified as having an income-generating job (Beta; 95% CI: -1.812; -3.052 to -0.572), having heard of psoriasis in medical terminology (-3.946; -5.374 to -2.518), being aware of psoriasis (-3.961; -5.518 to -2.404), having a family member or close individual with a psoriasis diagnosis (-3.961; -4.637 to -1.694), and having an adequate knowledge level regarding psoriasis (-2.880; -4.072 to -1.687) (F = 22.921, p ≤ 0.001, R(2) = 0.206). STUDY LIMITATIONS: Due to its cross-sectional design, causality could not be established. Additionally, the study was single-centered and based on self-reported data. CONCLUSIONS: The most significant predictor of attitudes toward people with psoriasis was identified as knowledge adequacy.