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Sun exposure behavior and protection practices in a Mediterranean population: a questionnaire‐based study
Author(s) -
Nikolaou Vasiliki,
Stratigos Alexander J.,
Antoniou Christina,
Sypsa Vana,
Avgerinou Georgia,
Danopoulou Ifigenia,
Nicolaidou Electra,
Katsambas Andreas D.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2009.00424.x
Subject(s) - skin cancer , telephone survey , medicine , sun protection , sun exposure , demography , population , telephone interview , age groups , environmental health , cancer , dermatology , social science , marketing , sociology , business
Objective: Skin cancer campaigns have only recently been implemented in a wide scale in Greece. In order to better target those individuals at risk, we aimed to explore sun exposure behaviors in a sample of the Greek population. Methods: A total of 802 subjects, randomly selected among the residents of the two largest Greek cities, underwent a questionnaire‐based telephone interview, assessing the degree of sun exposure patterns and knowledge of skin cancer risk factors. Results: Females more commonly (90%) used sunscreens compared with males (67.5%), and among sunscreen users, only 8% used products with SPF <10. Almost half of the participants (48%) preferred going to the beach during the midday hours. Over exposure to the sun was mostly reported by individuals with phototypes III/IV and of younger age (18–35 years). Most participants were aware of sun exposure as a cause of skin cancer, but among those who did not, 41% were younger than 34 years of age. Conclusions: In our survey, significant differences in age, sex and phototypes were observed with regard to sun exposure patterns and sunscreen use. Educational campaigns should focus more on younger age groups, encouraging a more complete set of photoprotective measures. However, potential trial limitations inherent in self‐reported measures should be taken into account.