knowledge and habits of solar exposure in street traders of a market in Chiclayo, Peru

Abstract

Objective: To determine the knowledge and habits of solar exposure in street vendors around a Chiclayo market. Methods: A questionnaire were applied to 291 street vendors located around the Chiclayo Model market, who evaluated the habits of sun exposure, photo protection measures, a history of sunburn and skin cancer, as well as knowledge of ultraviolet radiation and sources of information. Results: The ages were, 18-25 (42.3%), 36-54 (38.1%), 55 -78 (19.6%). At the educational level, 13.1% have a complete primary, 32.6% have a complete secondary and 8.2% have a complete superior. At the time of the study, 71.9% had been working as street vendors for more than 3 years. The phototypes of the participants were phototype I (0.3%), phototype II (4.5%), phototype III (24.7%), phototype IV (48.8%), phototype V (19.6%), phototype VI (2.15). 90 ± 3.5% recognize that it causes skin cancer, 53.6% acknowledge that a characteristic of skin aging by radiation is spots and warts, 56% answered that solar radiation causes cataracts, 52.92% He replied that white-skinned people are more sensitive to the sun's rays. 48.5% of them declared that they were exposed to sunlight for more than 6 hours, 24.7% were exposed to 3-6 hours a day, while 8.6% had the shortest time of sun exposure (0 - 2 hours). 75.3% do not use sunscreen. Conclusion: The knowledge and habits of sun exposure in street traders are from fair to adequate and poor habits.