Abstract

Background Deficient knowledge of and negative attitudes towards vitiligo are common. This study aims to compare the knowledge of and attitudes towards vitiligo between patients themselves, their relatives and non-relatives. Methods This cross-sectional comparative study was done in the outpatient clinic of Dermatology Department, Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt. One haundard vitiligo patients and equal number of both relatives and non-relatives were included. Demographic characteristics of the participants were collected. Knowledge and attitudes were measured using validated scales of 11 and 5 questions; respectively. The median scores of both scales were considered as cut of points. Results  Patients and their relatives have statistically significant more sufficient knowledge about vitiligo compared non-relatives (88% and 88% vs. 68%; respectively). Seventy-one percent of relatives versus 58% of non-relatives have positive attitude towards vitiligo patients. Medical personnels are the main source of information for vitiligo patients (47% vs. 39% and 6% in relatives and non-relatives). However, family and friends are the main source of information for non-relatives (49% vs. 23% and 29% in patients and relatives). Conclusion Misconceptions and negative attitudes towards vitiligo are common especially among non-relatives. There is a need for both community-and hospital-based education about the disease for better adaptation of vitiligo patients within the community.