Abstract

AWARENESS TO HAZARDS OF SUN EXPOSURE AND USE OF SUNSCREEN AMONG GENERAL POPULATION IN MADINAH CITY, SAUDI ARABIA, 2017-2018: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

*Bedoor Adel Fallatah and Azhar Abbas Raheem Ahmed

Abstract

Background: There is a consensus in the published literature upon the association between intense exposure to ultra-violate (UV) radiation and increased risk of skin cancer. The present study aims to investigate the awareness to hazards of sun exposure and use of sunscreen among the general population in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was an observational survey-based cross-sectional study. We included adults’ residents in Madinah city of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Participants were invited to fill an online-based survey throughout December 2017. A 27-items questionnaire was used to measure the awareness to hazards of sun exposure and use of sunscreen. The analyses was carried with SPSS software version 24. Results: We collected 611 responses, from which 97% were females. Half of the participants worked indoors without prolonged exposure to sun exposure, and almost 82% of the participants reported one or more skin problems. Sixty-seven percentage of the participants knew that sun exposure predisposition to skin cancer, but 38.9% already use sunscreen frequently. While 34% of the participants thought that sunscreen is not important. There were statistically significant relationships between the use of sunscreen and the presence of skin problems (p =0.035), sources of information (p=0.002), occupation (p <0.001), and the knowledge about the hazardous effect of sun exposure (p <0.001). Conclusion: In conclusion, a low number of Madinah population use sunscreen preparations. Awareness campaign and educational program is needed to increase Saudis awareness about the hazards of sun exposure and the beneficial effect of sunscreen use.

Keywords: Sunscreen; Sun exposure; Occupational hazards; Cross-sectional study.