Solar risk and sun protection in adolecents

ABSTRACT

Several studies proved that sunrays intense exposure, since childhood, is a primordial environment factor which increases risk of melanoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the knowledge of a group of students concerning the consequences of sun exposure, and to insist on the importance of information and prevention. Method: a survey was conducted on a sample of 1000 students in several schools of Casablanca. A questionnaire with 21 items with open answers was auto-filled by all the participants. there were 66,6% girls and 33,4% boys, with a mean age of 13 year-old. 38% of girls and 24% of boys were frequently exposed to the sunrays. The time of exposure was between midday and 4pm. 16% of the students knew that it is the maximal luminal intensity and requires maximal sun protection. The frequency of sunburns was high [43% of girls / 34% of boys]. Most of them exposed themselves regularly at the highest risk hours. The use of external solar photo protector was less frequent when practicing sport [16% of girls and 7% of boys]. During sport, 13% of the students knew the need to renew the application every two hours or after the bath. 54% of girls and 45% of boys knew that the clothes are the best protection.This study shows that the risk of sun exposure is badly known within teenagers and it exists a misreading of the benefit of sunscreen and of the role of clothes. Information, education of children and their families and the awareness of doctors about the solar risk are the best way to eliminate the high increase of the bad effects of the sun [melanoma, hyperpigmentation]