TY - JOUR

T1 - Treatment adherence and psychosocial impact of tinea capitis in families

T2 - Qualitative pilot study

AU - Lindsø Andersen, Pernille

AU - Jemec, Gregor B.

AU - Saunte, Ditte Marie Lindhardt

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Tinea capitis (TC) is a fungal infection of the hair and scalp. It mainly affects children, and treatment requires an extensive regimen including oral therapy, antifungal creams, and shampoo, as well as disinfection of fomites, bed linen, and clothes. Family members to patients with TC need prophylactic treatment to limit spread of the infection. Adherence to therapy in TC is time consuming, and the disease may cause psychosocial impairment to the caregivers. In this study, we performed interviews with parents to children with TC to identify factors related to treatment adherence and psychosocial implications from the parent's perspective. The interviews were performed and recorded at a dermatology outpatient clinic in Roskilde, Denmark (2018-2019). A total of 11 families agreed to participate in the study. The families had one to four affected children (age range: 1-14 years). We found that the key factors affecting adherence were the level of cooperation between the child and their parent, lack of symptoms in family members, and language barrier. The psychosocial well-being of parents was negatively affected due to fear of stigma and the time spent on treatment. Our study emphasizes the need for proper treatment instructions and psychosocial support of the parents by healthcare professionals.

AB - Tinea capitis (TC) is a fungal infection of the hair and scalp. It mainly affects children, and treatment requires an extensive regimen including oral therapy, antifungal creams, and shampoo, as well as disinfection of fomites, bed linen, and clothes. Family members to patients with TC need prophylactic treatment to limit spread of the infection. Adherence to therapy in TC is time consuming, and the disease may cause psychosocial impairment to the caregivers. In this study, we performed interviews with parents to children with TC to identify factors related to treatment adherence and psychosocial implications from the parent's perspective. The interviews were performed and recorded at a dermatology outpatient clinic in Roskilde, Denmark (2018-2019). A total of 11 families agreed to participate in the study. The families had one to four affected children (age range: 1-14 years). We found that the key factors affecting adherence were the level of cooperation between the child and their parent, lack of symptoms in family members, and language barrier. The psychosocial well-being of parents was negatively affected due to fear of stigma and the time spent on treatment. Our study emphasizes the need for proper treatment instructions and psychosocial support of the parents by healthcare professionals.

KW - compliance

KW - dermatophyte

KW - therapy

U2 - 10.1111/dth.13570

DO - 10.1111/dth.13570

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32406149

AN - SCOPUS:85087221677

VL - 33

JO - Dermatologic Therapy

JF - Dermatologic Therapy

SN - 1396-0296

IS - 4

M1 - e13570

ER -