SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS SEEKING COSMETIC TREATMENTS AT HO CHI MINH CITY HOSPITAL OF DERMATO-VENEREOLOGY

Abstract

Background: The continuous growing prevalence of cosmetic dermatology in recent years calls for research aiming at patients or customers who have interests in seeking cosmetic dermatology treatment.

Objectives: To define demographics, social characteristics, cosmetic desires, satisfaction and its predictive factor of patients presented at Department of Cosmetic Dermatology of Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 417 patients aged 18 or over at Department of Cosmetic Dermatology of Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Dermato-Venereology, from 07/2020 to 10/2020. Variables were assessed through a structured questionnaire.

Results: The standard patient aged ranging from 18-39 (62,8%), female (80,1%), lives in Ho Chi Minh City (60,2%) and reported monthly income below 10 milion dongs. A large proportion reported with self-made decisions on coming to the Department of Cosmetic Dermatology (60,1%) with the most common cosmetic problems were melasmas (36,3%) and scars (31,3%). Most patients were satisfied (89,9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed age group, marital status were independent predictors for sources of motivation in seeking cosmetic treatment while sex and age group were independent predictors for cosmetic desires in patients.

Conclusions: This study helps to characterize the patient’s population whose interests in cosmetic treatments. Along with helping cosmetic dermatologists to better understand patients needs, this study also may guide them to specify treatment choices according to patients’s expectations.