title: Behaviour, attitudes and awareness concerning sun exposure in adolescents on the Costa del Sol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fernández-Morano
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Troya-Martín
authors.affiliation: Research Department, Costa del Sol Hospital, Ctra Ncnal 340, km 187, 29603 Marbella, Spain.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivas-Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department.
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blázquez-Sánchez
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department.
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Del Boz-González
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fernández-Peñas
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, San Cecilio University Hospital, Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Agustín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buendía-Eisman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013030:Spain; D055108:Sunbathing; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*
keywords: adolescent behavior; attitudes; health knowledge; sun exposure; sun protection practices