Factors determining the level of knowledge about parabens in cosmetics

Abstract

Introduction. Parabens are preservatives that can be found in all types of cosmetics. Aim. Analysis and evaluation of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors related to the level of knowledge of young people about parabens in cosmetics. Material and methods. Three hundred students from randomly selected colleges in the Subcarpathian Province took part in the study. The author’s questionnaire was used, which consisted of a statement, a scale of attitudes, and a test of knowledge as well as the Multidimensional scale of Health Locus of Control. Results. A high level of knowledge about preservatives in cosmetics was possessed by 14 % of respondents. The respondents who read cosmetic ingredients showed a higher level of knowledge about parabens more often than others. Young people were most often characterized by type MHLC strong-internal, accounting for 34% of the sample, and this group had a higher level of knowledge about parabens more often than the other respondents. Conclusion. The respondents who thought that their health depends only on them had a high level of knowledge about parabens. Respondents with a low level of knowledge about cosmetic ingredients are the type that increases the influence of coincidence and the type that magnifies the influence of others.