Tanning pattern and sun protective behavior of students of Poznan University of Medical Sciences

Although UV radiation is a major risk factor of skin cancer, tanning and tanned skin appearance is still very popular. Awareness and good sun protective behavior are crucial in preventing skin cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate by a questionnaire the differences in tanning habits and solar protection, knowledge of solar radiation and effectiveness of sunscreen products, attitude towards sunscreen products application, experience with sunburns and the knowledge about solar prevention of medical students of the Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poznan/ Poland. Based on the fact that students of this University are of different nationalities and different ethnicities, they create a unique opportunity to verify certain stereotypic notions about ethnic groups. The questionnaire was distributed in electronical and paper forms among students, 718 questionnaires were returned. Females were more knowledgeable than males. Better knowledge correlated with more risky tanning behavior. Scandinavians were better educated about UVR risks and sunscreen products than other groups. Females were more concerned about their skin tone and therefore tanned more than males, being a group of increased risk for skin cancer. Scandinavians’ desire to have a tanned appearance was bigger than fear of tanning hazards. East Asians preferred light skin tone to tanned appearance, so their attitude towards tanning was negative. Females chasing the desire to get a "sun kissed skin" appearance visited tanning studios more often, tanned longer and deliberately avoided using sunscreens to accelerate the effect. Males used sunscreens less often than females, but when they did, they used those with higher SPF. Scandinavians reported the most risky behavior pattern and East Asians the least risky one. Females reported higher number of sunburns due to intentional UVR exposure. Scandinavians reported the highest number of sunburns resulting from exposure to both natural and artificial radiation sources. The lower the number of sunburns during childhood, the less likely the students were to experience sunburns in their later life. Knowledge and awareness are the first step in prevention of skin cancer but they are not sufficient. For the future, attention should be greatly focused on peoples‘ attitude and desire to tan to prevent the skin cancer numbers from rising.

Author dc:creator

• Francuzik, Anna geb. Janecka

• tanning
• melanoma
• sun protective behavior

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://www.fu-berlin.de/sites/refubium/rechtliches/Nutzungsbedingungen

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier URI

http://dx.doi.org/10.17169/refubium-84

OAI record oai:identifier

https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Arefubium.fu-berlin.de%3Afub188%2F22249