ATTITUDES OF NURSING STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STUDIES IN SPLIT ON THE USE OF TOPICAL CORTICOSTEROID PREPARATIONS IN THE TREATMENT OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS

Abstract

Aim: To assess the attitudes of nursing students toward the use of topical corticosteroids (TC), the cornerstone therapy for the atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment, focusing on concerns and fears (corticophobia) associated with TC use.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 100 nursing students from the University Department of Health Studies, University of Split, during February and March 2025. Data were collected using the validated TOPICOP questionnaire, distributed via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for analysis. The threshold for statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

Results: The mean age of participants was 27 years. Women accounted for 87% of the sample and men for 13%. Fourth-year students were the most represented group at 37%. Concern about potential adverse effects of TC was reported by 66% of respondents, primarily relating to skin damage and long-term consequences. A statistically significant association was found between age and concern about adverse effects (P<0.05), with older students expressing greater concern. A statistically significant association was also observed between year of study and beliefs about long-term effects of TC (P<0.05), with students in higher years more likely to believe that long-term adverse effects exist.

Conclusion: Nursing students show considerable corticophobia. The results suggestthat more systematic education during undergraduate training is needed to give future the knowledge and confidence to educate effectively on patients on the rational and safe TC use in AD management. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted TC education in the nursing curriculum to support better educational outcomes and ensure high-qualitypatient support.