Sun‐protection practices among undergraduates at an Australian University

Abstract

Only a third of the sample practiced any method of sun protection and there were significant differences in the practices between subgroups, suggesting they were at an increased risk of sun damage.

Skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and prevention practices among medical students: A systematic search and literature review

“…Among the studies that provided medical students’ sex, nine studies reported a higher proportion of female medical students ( Awadh et al, 2016 , Bilushi et al, 2012 , Guile and Nicholson, 2004 ; Isvy et al, 2012; Jerkegren et al, 1998 , Purim and Wroblevski, 2014 , Rodriguez-Gambetta et al, 2016 , Scott et al, 2017 , Zuba et al, 2016 ). Furthermore, the mean age range of medical students in the nine studies that reported these data was 20.3 to 25.01 years ( Bilushi et al, 2012 , Gillani et al, 2001 , Jerkegren et al, 1998 , Patel et al, 2010 , Purim and Wroblevski, 2014 , Romani et al, 2005 , Shahnam et al, 2015 , Sweni et al, 2010 , Zuba et al, 2016 ).…”

“… Overall, the questionnaire revealed that both first- and sixth-year students’ knowledge of sunscreen, UV light, and skin cancer is deficient. • 52.5% used sunscreen only while at the beach • 17.5 % used sunscreen throughout the summer • 3.3% used sunscreen all the time (throughout year) • 50% of first-year students and 31% of sixth-year students used clothing, hat, and sunglasses Shahnam et al, 2015 ; Australia Questionnaire, n = 255 (science students, including medical students), mean age (medical students) = 22.7 (SD = 1.02) years – Medical students’ data: • 80% used less than three sun-protection methods concurrently • 53% seek shade • 24% use sunscreen • 21% wear protective clothing • 3% wear a hat • 38% wear sunglasses Purim and Wroblevski, 2014 ; Brazil Questionnaire, n = 398 (72.1% have had attended discipline of dermatology, medical students: 20.1% first and second years, 59% third and fourth years, and 20.9% fifth and sixth years), 54.9% female, 87.4% White (color/race), mean age = 22.9 (SD = 3.1) years (range, 18-42 years) Not attended dermatology discipline: 30.6% knew ABCD rule and how to identify suspicious lesions Attended dermatology discipline: 69.6% knew ABCD rule and how to identify suspicious lesions • Sun exposure: 31.5% (between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.) • Use sunscreen: Not attended dermatology discipline: 50% (summer) and 9.1% (daily); attended dermatology discipline: 49.1% (summer) and 8.1% (daily) • Use sunscreen: Only in summer (76.4% of men; 29.4% of women), daily (9.8% of men, 7.3% of women), during exercise (9.2% of men, 58.3% of women; p < .001) • SPF used in sunscreens: Not attended dermatology discipline (4.5% [< 15], 23.4% [15-25], 65.8% [> 30]), attended dermatology discipline (8.7% [< 15], 25.1% [15-25], 65% [> 30]) • Cap, visor or hat: Not attended dermatology discipline (5.4%), attended dermatology discipline (9.1%) • Sunglasses: Not attended dermatology discipline (48.6%), attended dermatology discipline (55%) • SSE: Not attended dermatology discipline (20.9%), attended dermatology discipline (61.1%) • Perform or have already performed tanning: 4.3% Awadh et al, 2016 ; Malaysia Questionnaire, n = 101 (final-year medical students), 63.4% female • 27.7-78.2% knew that sunscreen is effective in preventing sunburn, skin aging, skin cancer, enhancing a tan, and reversing aging signs • 31.7-92.1% knew sunscreen should be applied during sunny day, cloudy day, attending indoor activities, at night, and while swimming in the pool, beach, waterfall • 7.9-67.3% knew when and how often to apply sunscreen on sunny days/outdoors, amount of sunscreen to cover entire body, what SPF stands for, that sunscreen provides better protection when protection order is higher, and the risk of UV-A/B radiation • 7.9-34.7% had their sunscreen use influenced by friends, family, health care professionals, and others • 53.5% encouraged the use of sunscreen to others • 9.9% encouraged the use of sunscreen for babies < 6 months old • 40.6-79.2% agree that sunscreen is necessary to avoid the harmful effects of sun ...…”

“…With regard to skin cancer protective behaviors, Shahnam et al (2015) revealed that 80% of medical students used fewer than three methods of sun protection concurrently. Approximately 70% of medical students avoided the sun as a measure of prevention ( Forsea et al, 2012 ).…”

“…The use of sunglasses among medical students ranged from approximately 49% to 55% ( Ozuguz et al, 2014 , Purim and Wroblevski, 2014 , Shahnam et al, 2015 ). Similar to sunscreen use, a difference in the use of sunglasses was observed by sex, with female medical students wearing sunglasses more often than male students (Isvy et al, 2012; Rodriguez-Gambetta et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Several studies reported differences by sex with regard to sun protective behavior. Female medical students reported a greater intention to use sun protective behavior, greater skin cancer knowledge, and more appreciation for sun protection than their male counterparts (Isvy et al, 2012; Ozuguz et al, 2012; Purim and Wroblevski, 2012; Rodriguez-Gambetta et al, 2016 , Shahnam et al, 2015 ). A majority of male medical students (76.4%) were found to be unlikely to use sunscreen outside of the summer months, and 43% never used sunscreen (Purim and Wroblevski, 2012).…”