Determinants of Superficial Dermatophytosis: The Role of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Personal Hygiene in a Cross-Sectional Study

Winda Yulia; Aulia Zalsabila Rosadi; Reno Keumalazia Kamarlis; Nanda Earlia; RM. Agung Pranata Kusuma Atmaja; Iflan Nauval

Authors

Winda Yulia Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia
Aulia Zalsabila Rosadi Graduated Program of Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia
Reno Keumalazia Kamarlis Department of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia
Nanda Earlia Department of Dermatology and Venerology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia
RM. Agung Pranata Kusuma Atmaja Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia
Iflan Nauval Department of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

Keywords:

dermatophytosis, tropical disease, personal hygiene, health behavior, attitude

Abstract

Background: Superficial dermatophytosis is a common fungal infection that remains a public health concern, particularly in communal living environments such as Islamic boarding schools where close contact and suboptimal hygiene practices facilitate transmission. Behavioral factors, including knowledge, attitudes, and personal hygiene, play an important role in influencing individual susceptibility to dermatophytosis. Method: This study aimed to examine the relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and personal hygiene and the incidence of superficial dermatophytosis among students in Islamic boarding schools in Darussalam District, Aceh Besar. Results: Knowledge (p= 0.023; OR= 2.424; 95% CI: 1.124–5.229), attitudes (p= 0.007; OR= 5.453; 95% CI: 1.428–20.816), and personal hygiene (p< 0.001; OR= 40.000; 95% CI: 5.120–312.470) were significantly associated with superficial dermatophytosis. Poor personal hygiene demonstrated the strongest association with disease occurrence. Discussion: These findings highlight that inadequate knowledge and unfavorable attitudes may lead to poor hygiene behaviors, increasing the risk of dermatophytosis transmission in densely populated educational settings. Conclusion: Behavioral factors, particularly personal hygiene, are key determinants of superficial dermatophytosis among Islamic boarding school students. Strengthening health education, hygiene promotion, and preventive interventions within boarding school settings is essential to reduce the burden of dermatophytosis.

Author Biography

Winda Yulia, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Indonesia

First author, corresponding author

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