Evaluation of solar exposure and sun-protection behaviors among university students in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, Brazil

Abstract

BACKGROUND - It is known that changes in the habits of the world population with regard to solar exposure, have caused an increased rate of skin cancer in the last few decades. This information is especially relevant in the Southern region of Brazil, due to the higher prevalence of Caucasians, who are more vulnerable to harm from the sun, compared to other darker skinned Brazilians. OBJECTIVES - To evaluate the habits of solar exposure and sun-protection among university students in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, from July to September 2001. METHODS - 1030 questionnaires were answered by university students living in the Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre. RESULTS - On weekends, 38.4% of the students expose themselves to the sun for 2 to 6 hours daily. During the summer, 43.7% expose themselves to the sun between 10 am and 3 pm. Eighty-five per cent of the students affirmed that they use sunscreen, but 65% do not use it when practicing outdoor sports. CONCLUSIONS - We observed that most university students expose themselves excessively to the sun at inappropriate times of the day and without effective protection against the sun.