Sun Exposure and Sun Protection Habits Among High-school Adolescents in Porto Alegre, Brazil¶

Abstract

Adolescents constitute an important audience for photoprotection programs. Sun exposure and sun protection habits acquired during adolescence have a significant impact on skin cancer incidence. We administered a questionnaire to 724 students about ultraviolet radiation effects, opinions about tanning, total time of sun exposure per day, photoprotection and activities in the sun. About 90% were aware of the association between sun exposure and skin cancer, and mass media was the main source of information. However, the great majority believed that tanning improved their appearance, and that it was worth taking the risk. The most prevalent outdoor activity among boys was sports; girls preferred walks and sunbathing. Sun exposure was significantly longer in summer, when 90% of the students went to the beach. About 47% reported sunscreen use in summer and only 3% reported using sunscreen during winter. These results emphasize the need for the promotion of photoprotective habits in our population and the importance of engaging physicians and school teachers in developing campaigns directed at this issue to achieve effective, long-lasting results. Adolescents are aware of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin but campaigns have not successfully changed their sun exposure habits.

Protection of the Eye from Ultraviolet Radiation Damage Among Adults in Addis Zemen Town, Northwest Ethiopia

“…In this study, the proportion of good practice to protect the eye from ultraviolet radiation damage was 40.23% (95% CI: 36.62-48.91%) which was in line with studies done in Canada, Brazil and Malta. [23][24][25][26] This level of protection practice is categorized as low which needs prevention and protection campaigns to reduce the damages of ultraviolet radiation.…”

Effectiveness of Educational Practices in University Students’ Knowledge about Sun Protection and Its Relation to Sunlight Exposure: An Exploratory Study in a Portuguese Higher Education Institution

“…Research that analyzes students' knowledge about sunlight protection and risks can help identify education problems linked to the teaching-learning process [44]. Studies have drawn attention to the need for the promotion of photoprotective habits and the need for engaging physicians and teachers with this subject [45]. Through targeted educational interventions, higher awareness and knowledge levels could be achieved, as well as the adoption of healthier attitudes and behaviors regarding sun exposure, which would take us to a lower risk for the development of skin cancer [25].…”

Health Disparities Among Different Ethnic and Racial Middle and High School Students in Sun Exposure Beliefs and Knowledge

“…Parents of darkerskinned children were also found to provide less sun protection encouragement than their white counterparts [9]. Finally, most adolescents mention the media and not physicians as their information source for sun-exposure education [10].…”

“…You can only tan after being sunburned and females (52% vs. 47%) and a wide range of ages [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], ethnicities (24% Hispanic), and races (10% black, 40% white, 12% Asian) [5].…”