Habits of sun exposure and sunscreen use among university students from Teresina, Piauí State, Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:  to investigate sun exposure and sunscreen use habits among university students in Teresina-PI.

METHOD:  cross-sectional study with a representative sample. Associations between demographic characteristics and sun exposure and sunscreen use habits were investigated.

RESULTS:  398 students were interviewed. 54.8% reported exposing themselves to the sun less than 2 hours daily. The majority (66.8%) preferred times when radiation is less intense. 45.2% reported sunscreen use as a daily habit and 82.4% reported its use in voluntary sun exposure. T-shirt use was another form of photoprotection reported (44.2%) and 29.9% of students had received some professional guidance on photoprotection. Females reported daily and voluntary exposure sunscreen use (p <0.001) more often than males.

CONCLUSION:  most students referred preferring exposure to the sun at times when radiation intensity is low, using sunscreen and other sun protection measures during voluntary sun exposure.

Solar Radiation; Sunscreening Agents; Habits; Healthy Behavior; Cross-Sectional Studies