title: 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.
authors.affiliation: Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Benvenuto-Andrade
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zen
authors.forename: Gisele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Damiê
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Villa
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cestari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001938:Brazil; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents