COSMETOVIGILANCE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND HEALTH ANXIETY AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN HUNGARY
Author(s)
Gebiyaw Wudie Tsegaye, MSc1, Yvett Szabados, BSc1, Regina Finta, MSc PhD1, Shazia Jamshed, PhD2, Kata Frei, MSc1, Zoltán Bátori, MSc PhD1, Edit Paulik, MD PhD3, Márió Gajdács, MPH, MSc, PharmD, PhD3.
1University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, 2International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia, 3Department of Public Health, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
1University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary, 2International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan, Malaysia, 3Department of Public Health, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
OBJECTIVES: The use of cosmetic products for personal hygiene, oral care, and aesthetic purposes are ubiquitous among young adults, which may alter the physiological functions of the integumentary system and mucous membranes. Post-marketing surveillance (cosmetovigilance) within the EU plays a pivotal role in characterizing product-related adverse events (AEs); nonetheless, reliable data on AEs is limited, particularly within high-risk sub-populations. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cosmetic products and cosmetovigilance among students enrolled at the University of Szeged.
METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was performed between 2021.02.01.-2024.09.30., utilizing a convenience sampling approach. Data were collected via a 70-item questionnaire, comprising: i) socio-demographic and academic domain-specific parameters, ii) cosmetic utilization habits and history of experiencing AEs, iii) knowledge-assessment domain, iv) attitude-assessment domain, and v) the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI). Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, χ² tests, Welch’s t-tests, and multiple logistic regression models) were performed using jamovi 2.4.5 (α: 0.05; adjusted odds ratios (aOR)±95% confidence interval [CI]).
RESULTS: Our sample comprised N=735 students (83.3% female; mean age: 23.7±2.9 years), with a high proportion enrolled in medical or health sciences programs (72.2%). Notably, 47.6% [95%CI: 43.9-51.3%] had experienced at least one cosmetic-related AE, primarily linked to personal hygiene products, shampoos, and skincare preparations. Following an AE, 27.4% consulted a healthcare professional or an aesthetician; however, the formal reporting rate to authorities was negligible (0.8%). 58.9% [95%CI: 55.3-62.5%] of the cohort exhibited elevated health anxiety levels. Female participants (aOR:2.51; 95%CI: 1.61-3.91, p<0.001), and those with elevated health anxiety (aOR:1.37; 95%CI: 1.01-1.86, p=0.044) were more likely to report experiencing AEs.
CONCLUSIONS: Somatic health anxiety may be a driver of AE detection in young adults, pointing toward heightened cutaneous self-monitoring or lower sensory thresholds. Our results may serve as the foundation for targeted health education programs.
METHODS: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was performed between 2021.02.01.-2024.09.30., utilizing a convenience sampling approach. Data were collected via a 70-item questionnaire, comprising: i) socio-demographic and academic domain-specific parameters, ii) cosmetic utilization habits and history of experiencing AEs, iii) knowledge-assessment domain, iv) attitude-assessment domain, and v) the Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI). Statistical analyses (descriptive statistics, χ² tests, Welch’s t-tests, and multiple logistic regression models) were performed using jamovi 2.4.5 (α: 0.05; adjusted odds ratios (aOR)±95% confidence interval [CI]).
RESULTS: Our sample comprised N=735 students (83.3% female; mean age: 23.7±2.9 years), with a high proportion enrolled in medical or health sciences programs (72.2%). Notably, 47.6% [95%CI: 43.9-51.3%] had experienced at least one cosmetic-related AE, primarily linked to personal hygiene products, shampoos, and skincare preparations. Following an AE, 27.4% consulted a healthcare professional or an aesthetician; however, the formal reporting rate to authorities was negligible (0.8%). 58.9% [95%CI: 55.3-62.5%] of the cohort exhibited elevated health anxiety levels. Female participants (aOR:2.51; 95%CI: 1.61-3.91, p<0.001), and those with elevated health anxiety (aOR:1.37; 95%CI: 1.01-1.86, p=0.044) were more likely to report experiencing AEs.
CONCLUSIONS: Somatic health anxiety may be a driver of AE detection in young adults, pointing toward heightened cutaneous self-monitoring or lower sensory thresholds. Our results may serve as the foundation for targeted health education programs.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-11, ISPOR Europe 2026, Vienna, Austria
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue 12S
Code
PCR142
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Health Service Delivery & Process of Care, Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives, Patient Engagement
Disease
Sensory System Disorders (Ear, Eye, Dental, Skin)