title: [Sun exposure behaviors and knowledge among Chileans].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ultraviolet light exposure has a pathogenic effect on the development of skin cancer, whose prevalence increases worldwide. In Chile and the rest of the world, preventive educational campaigns are carried out to change high risk sun exposure behaviors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the behavior of the Chilean population towards skin cancer prevention and to identify erroneous preventive practices and concepts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey containing 17 questions about sun exposure behaviors, photoprotective measures and knowledge about ultraviolet radiation and skin cancer was used. It was applied during January and February 2004, to 1,143 subjects (mean age 30 years, 409 males), taking vacations in beach resorts in Chile.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hours of higher sun exposure ranged from 12 AM to 4 PM. Thirty seven percent of subjects were exposed more than 2 hours during this high risk lapse. Women and subjects aged less than 25 years were those with the riskiest behaviors. Fifty four percent used some type of photoprotection and 50% used ocular protection. Seventy percent used creams with sun screen and 74% used a sun protection factor higher than 15. Seventy percent applied the sun screen as recommended. Thirty eight percent had at least one sun burn in the last two years. More than 90% of subjects were aware of the relationship between sun exposure and skin cancer but 60% did not know the hours of higher ultraviolet radiation. The information about sun exposure was obtained from television in 57% of surveyed individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More educational campaigns about the risk of sun exposure are needed to reduce risky behaviors in the Chilean population.
authors.affiliation: Unidad Docente Asociada Dermatología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Chile. dermato@med.puc.cl
authors.forename: Montserrat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Molgó
authors.forename: Celso
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castillo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valdés
authors.forename: Williams
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jeanneret
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cevo
authors.forename: Catalina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Paulina
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flores
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Riquelme
authors.forename: María Fernanda
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ayala
authors.forename: Fabián
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: González
authors.forename: María Trinidad
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hasbún
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Baladrón
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents