B Jones1, C Oh, E Corkery, R Hanley, C A Egan. 1. Department of Dermatology, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Ireland. bradjones@ausdoctors.net
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although people seem to be well educated on the harmful effects of the sun, they continue to intentionally expose themselves without adequate protection. AIMS: To ascertain baseline knowledge regarding skin cancer and review the sun protection behaviours in an Irish population and the effect of doctor-based education on these behaviours. METHODS: Two hundred participants were recruited for a questionnaire-based study on their perceptions regarding skin cancer and their sun protection behaviour. They were divided into two groups, with one group receiving doctor-based education following the initial survey, and a follow-up questionnaire was carried out within 3 months. RESULTS: Ninety per cent of participants knew that sun exposure was the major risk factor for skin cancer, and 95% knew that sun beds were not a safe way to tan. Despite this, < 20% used regular sunscreen, and 30% had used or were currently using sun beds in order to tan. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that although the participants' knowledge of skin cancer and risk of sun exposure is high, their sun-protective attitudes were not influenced by education in the clinical setting.
BACKGROUND: Although people seem to be well educated on the harmful effects of the sun, they continue to intentionally expose themselves without adequate protection. AIMS: To ascertain baseline knowledge regarding skin cancer and review the sun protection behaviours in an Irish population and the effect of doctor-based education on these behaviours. METHODS: Two hundred participants were recruited for a questionnaire-based study on their perceptions regarding skin cancer and their sun protection behaviour. They were divided into two groups, with one group receiving doctor-based education following the initial survey, and a follow-up questionnaire was carried out within 3 months. RESULTS: Ninety per cent of participants knew that sun exposure was the major risk factor for skin cancer, and 95% knew that sun beds were not a safe way to tan. Despite this, < 20% used regular sunscreen, and 30% had used or were currently using sun beds in order to tan. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that although the participants' knowledge of skin cancer and risk of sun exposure is high, their sun-protective attitudes were not influenced by education in the clinical setting.
Authors: Carolyn J Heckman; Susan Darlow; Jessye Cohen-Filipic; Jacqueline D Kloss; Sharon L Manne; Teja Munshi; Clifford S Perlis Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2012-06-18 Impact factor: 3.390