Background: Acne is among the prevalent health problems related to various physiological, hormonal, and environmental issues. Given the unique stress conditions and lifestyle modifications associated with their age, acne is particularly concerning for medical students. This research aims to explore how stress and certain lifestyle modifications, particularly high academic stress, influence acne prevalence among students at the University of Sulaimani College of Medicine.

Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional approach, online surveys were distributed among 235 medical students, containing questions regarding their sleeping patterns, diet plans, physical activities, and levels of perceived stress. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software version 27.0.

Results: A large portion of the respondents stated acne prevalence as a major concern. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between type of skin and acne prevalence (p < 0.010). Furthermore, the analysis revealed that dietary habits, specifically the consumption of high glycemic and dairy-rich foods, were significantly linked with the prevalence of acne (p= 0.037). Additionally, a higher occurrence of acne was found among those individuals with a family history of acne, therefore a notable genetic link was established (p<0.0010)

Conclusion

It is concluded that stress and the stated lifestyle modifications significantly influence acne prevalence among medical students. Therefore, a combined approach involving psychology and dermatology is recommended to promote the necessary behavioral changes.