Behaviour, attitudes and awareness concerning sun exposure in adolescents on the Costa del sol

• Published in: EJD. European journal of dermatology Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 85 - 93
• Main Authors: Fernández-Morano, Teresa, De Troya-Martín, Magdalena, Rivas-Ruiz, Francisco, Blázquez-Sánchez, Nuria, Boz-González, Javier Del, Fernández-Peñas, Pablo, Buendía-Eisman, Agustín
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris John Libbey Eurotext 2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Report; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dermatology; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Skin, nail, hair, dermoskeleton; Spain; Sunbathing; Sunlight - adverse effects; Spain; health knowledge; sun exposure; sun protection practices; adolescent behavior; attitudes; Human; Attitude; Sun protection; Health; Awareness; Exposure; Knowledge; Sun; Adolescent; Behavior
• ISSN: 1167-1122; 1952-4013
• DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2014.2266

A history of sunburn and cumulative sun exposure during adolescence are the most important risk factors for the development of skin cancer. Skin cancer can be prevented by reducing sun exposure, particularly during adolescence, which is precisely the age group that could best benefit from primary prevention campaigns.
Objective
To determine the behaviour, attitudes and understanding of adolescents concerning sun exposure.
Methods
This cross-sectional descriptive study undertaken during 2011 included secondary school adolescents from randomly selected schools on the Costa del Sol, southern Spain. A validated beachside questionnaire was used to record data on demographics, skin colour, phototype, sun exposure habits, sunburns, practices, attitudes and knowledge about the sun.
Results
The study involved 270 students, aged 14–17 years, from 11 schools; 50.4% were female, 43.7% were aged 14 years, and 85.9% were Spanish. Most had a light skin colour (49.3%) and phototypes III (42.2%) or IV (34.8%). Most (71%) went to the beach on more than 16 days and 74.4% had had sunburn the previous summer. Sun cream was used by 47.8% and 1.1% wore long sleeves or trousers. Concerning attitudes, 60.7% stated they felt better when they were tanned, and concerning understanding, most were aware of the harmful effects of the sun on the skin.
Conclusion
Adolescents comprise a special risk group with a positive attitude towards tanning. Further studies are required to assess educational stategies in order to reduce the desire to have a suntan, and improve sun protection practices and habits targeted at this age group.