Pityriasis capitis is a disease whose incidence is quite high in the young adult age group, for example students. Pityriasis capitis is caused by the fungus Pityrosporum ovale which is a lipophilic fungus categorized in the genus Malassezia and the family Cryptococcaceae. In Indonesia, the prevalence of Pityasis capitis is 18%. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors for Pityriasis capitis in students of the faculty of medicine and health sciences. The research design was descriptive with a cross-sectional design. The research subjects used were 78 students from the classes of 2021 and 2022, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Krida Wacana Christian University who met the inclusion criteria. The research data is primary data obtained from the results of questionnaires and scalp sampling. Based on the results, 38 students (48.7%) experienced Pityriasis capitis. The incidence of Pityriasis capitis is more common in women (65.8%) than in men (34.2%). The results of hypothesis testing in this study showed a relationship between gender and Pityriasis capitis (P-value 0.003). Meanwhile, for the use of head coverings, storage of head coverings, use of alternating head coverings, frequency of shampooing, use of shampoo when washing hair, use of hair styling products, use of towels, and frequency of changing towels, there was no significant relationship (p>0.05).

Keyword: Pityriasis capitis, risk factors, medical student

Dr. Inneke Kusumawati Susanto, M. Biomed, is a medical doctor who also holds a Master’s degree in Biomedicine. Originally from Indonesia, she currently resides in Germany, where she is pursuing further studies and working. She is actively engaged in various roles—including physician, speaker, researcher, lecturer, reviewer, moderator, and author—at both national and international levels. She holds a professional lecturer certification from the Indonesian Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology. She possesses a B2-level German language certificate from the Goethe-Institut and has continued her studies to the C1- Medizin level in Germany; her English proficiency is also at the B2 level. She has published research papers and literature reviews in national and international journals (accessible via Google Scholar) and has authored and published an ISBN-registered book. She can be contacted via email (dr.inneke.kusumawati.susanto@gmail.com), LinkedIn, or her professional Instagram account (dr.inneke.k.susanto.m.biomed).