Awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru

PeerJ

article

Carlos J. Toro-Huamanchumo¹  Sara J. Burgos-Muñoz²  Luz M. Vargas-Tineo²  Jhosuny Perez-Fernandez²  Otto W. Vargas-Tineo²  Ruth M. Burgos-Muñoz²  Javier A. Zentner-Guevara²  Carlos Bada² 

[1] Universidad de San Martín de Porres;School of Medicine, Universidad de San Martín de Porres;Clínica San Judas Tadeo

关键词: Health knowledge attitudes practices;    Sunlight;    Skin neoplasms;    Ultraviolet rays;   

DOI  :  10.7717/peerj.6189

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Inra

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundSkin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem.ObjectiveTo describe the awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in the Pimentel beach, Peru. The “Beach Questionnaire” was used and we surveyed all the beachgoers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from March 5 to March 19. For the statistical analysis, sun exposure habits, sunburns history, knowledge, attitudes and practices were crossed with sex using the chi2 test.ResultsWe surveyed 410 beachgoers, the most frequent phototype was type III (40.5%). Only the 13.66% of the respondents correctly answered the seven knowledge questions related to sun exposure and skin cancer. Men more frequently agreed that “when they are tanned their clothes looks nicer” (p = 0.048). Likewise, regarding the questions “Sunbathing is relaxing” and “Sunbathing improves my mood”, men agreed or totally agreed with more frequency than women (63.64% vs. 46.15%, p < 0.001; and 61.36% vs 49.15%, p = 0.014, respectively). Regarding sun protection practices, women more frequently used sunshade (p = 0.001) and sunscreen (SPF ≥ 15) (p < 0.001) when compared to the male group.ConclusionSun exposure is a potentially preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Thus, awareness of the risks of UVR overexposure and adequate sun-protective behaviors and attitudes are essential. Our results, however, are not as favorable as expected. Public health efforts should encourage sun-safety precautions and intervention campaigns should be carried out in recreational settings, such as the beaches.

【 授权许可】

CC BY