Stigmatization attitudes toward patients living with psoriasis in Thailand: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Data on stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with psoriasis (PLWP) in the general population are scarce. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of stigmatizing attitudes toward PLWP among three Thai groups: medical students (MS), nonmedical students (NMS), and laypeople. A standardized online questionnaire was completed by 1200 Thais. The Thai lay sample was recruited using power calculations and demographic quotas based on national census data to ensure representativeness of the general population. The incorrect belief that psoriasis is contagious was most common among NMS (37.3%), followed by laypeople (25.3%) and MS (11.3%). The MS had the highest proportion (66.8%) of participants who believed that PLWP were disadvantaged, stigmatized, or discriminated against. Among the 1200 Thai participants, 577 (48.1%) considered psoriasis to be a societal burden. Shaking or touching lesional areas and sharing a swimming pool caused the greatest discomfort. Greater psoriasis knowledge and awareness of “World Psoriasis Day” were significantly associated with fewer stigmatizing attitudes and reduced stigma. These findings underscore the urgent need for public health interventions and educational campaigns to improve societal attitudes toward PLWP, particularly within Thai society.