The prevalence of screened trichotillomania in medical students of Saint-Joseph University.

OBJECTIVES

Our study aims to determine the prevalence of trichotillomania among medical students. Furthermore, we aim to determine the perception of trichotillomania in this population.

METHODS

Our study is a cross-sectional study that aims to determine the prevalence and the perception of trichotillomania among medical students in, compared to a control population. The control population were non-medical students in the same university. The participants filled a questionnaire online, followed by a psychiatric assessment if needed to confirm the diagnosis. The questionnaire contained three parts that consist of demographic data, diagnostic criteria and two perception questions respectfully. All the individuals that had a positive questionnaire refused to undergo a psychiatric assessment. Consequently, our study is limited to the screening of trichotillomania.

RESULTS

In total, 489 answers were recorded. The prevalence of trichotillomania in the general population was estimated at 2.2% (N=11). A total of 215 medical students and 274 controls filled the form. The prevalence of trichotillomania in medical students was 0.9% (N=2), whereas in the control population, the prevalence was estimated at 3.3% (N=9). The difference was statistically insignificant (P=0.123). Among medical students, all the positive questionnaires were females. In the control population, seven of them were females and two of them were males. In total, the sex ratio would be 4.5 females for one male when both populations are combined. All the individuals that had a positive questionnaire either refused to undergo a psychiatric assessment or did not answer call-backs. Regarding the perception of trichotillomania, almost three quarters of the responders think that it is due to anxiety. There was a statistical difference between the medical students and the control population regarding the answer to the proposition "It is a psychiatric disease". Medical students (76.7%) tend to believe that more than the others do (48.9%) with a p-value less than 0.00001. In addition, the same difference is found when comparing medicals students that took psychiatric courses (86.2%) to those that did not (59.7%) with a p-value at 0.0001. Almost all students think trichotillomania is treatable.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of trichotillomania among medical students is 0.9%. Medical students are not more or less affected by trichotillomania than other students. A screening tool must be considered for this disease, considering the lack. Medical students with psychiatric knowledge know more about trichotillomania than others. For this reason, awareness campaigns regarding this disease must be done to increase general knowledge.