This observational cross-sectional study aims to analyze exposure to the sun and solar protection measures among medical students in Curitiba (PR), by means of a self-administered questionnaire, comparing the outcomes among students of both sexes, with or without the benefit of studying Dermatology. Statistical analysis was conducted using Fisher’s exact and Chi-square tests. The sample consisted of 398 students, characterized mainly by women (54.9%), a white socio-demographic profile, with a predominant average age of 23.8 years. Most of them studied at the Department of Dermatology (72.1%) and had basic knowledge of sun protection (65.3%). For their reported practices of sun exposure, the preferred times were after 4:00 p.m. (55%) and between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (23.3%), with daily use of sunscreen (36.5%) and one with a protection factor of 30 or more (65.5%). Regarding individual risk to cutaneous carcinomas, 61.2% fell within skin types II and III Fitzpatrick. A family history of skin cancer was reported in 24.6% of cases among grandparents and/or parents. Female Dermatology students reported the twice daily application of sunscreen of higher sun protection factor.
Sunscreens; Skin Cancer; Sunburn; Physical Activities; Medical Education
