Non-use of sunscreen among adults and the elderly in southern Brazil.

BACKGROUND: One of the main prevention methods against skin cancer is the use of sunscreen; however, incidence of this disease has not declined despite prevention campaigns. OBJECTIVE: Investigate the prevalence of non-use of sunscreen and its associated factors. METHOD: A population-based cross-sectional study with individuals aged 18 years or over living in the urban area. Conducted between April and July of 2016. Participants were interviewed about socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral questions. Non-use of sunscreen was considered as the outcome. For multivariate analysis, Poisson regression with robust adjustment for variance was used. RESULTS: Among the 1300 participants, prevalence of non-use of sunscreen was 38.2% (95% CI: 34.6-41.8). The variables independently associated with the outcome were male sex, older age, brown or black skin color, lower income, fewer years of education, no physical activity in leisure time, no medical consultations in the last year, and self-perception of health as regular or poor. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The prevalence may be underestimated by reports of more use of sunscreen than actually used, which could increase the figure in the outcome. CONCLUSION: It was estimated that about four out of ten adults and elderly do not use sunscreen in this sample. Prevention strategies are needed to advance health policy and ensure that sun protection options are easily accessible.

Non-use of sunscreen among adults and the elderly in southern Brazil

Abstract Background One of the main prevention methods against skin cancer is the use of sunscreen; however, incidence of this disease has not declined despite prevention campaigns. Objective Investigate the prevalence of non-use of sunscreen and its associated factors. Method A population-based cross-sectional study with individuals aged 18 years or over living in the urban area. Conducted between April and July of 2016. Participants were interviewed about socioeconomic, demographic, and behavioral questions. Non-use of sunscreen was considered as the outcome. For multivariate analysis, Poisson regression with robust adjustment for variance was used. Results Among the 1300 participants, prevalence of non-use of sunscreen was 38.2% (95% CI: 34.6-41.8). The variables independently associated with the outcome were male sex, older age, brown or black skin color, lower income, fewer years of education, no physical activity in leisure time, no medical consultations in the last year, and self-perception of health as regular or poor. Study limitations The prevalence may be underestimated by reports of more use of sunscreen than actually used, which could increase the figure in the outcome. Conclusion It was estimated that about four out of ten adults and elderly do not use sunscreen in this sample. Prevention strategies are needed to advance health policy and ensure that sun protection options are easily accessible.

Use of sunscreen and risk of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The use of sunscreen is a key component of public health campaigns for skin cancer prevention, but epidemiological studies have raised doubts on its effectiveness in the general population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the association between risk of skin cancer and sunscreen use. We searched PubMed, BIREME and Google Scholar from inception to May 17, 2017, to identify observational studies and controlled trials. We used a random-effects model for conventional and cumulative meta-analyses. We included 29 studies (25 case-control, two cohort, one cross-sectional, and one controlled trial) involving 313,717 participants (10,670 cases). The overall meta-analysis did not show a significant association between skin cancer and sunscreen use (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08; 95% CI: 0.91-1.28, I2 = 89.4%). Neither melanoma (25 studies; 9,813 cases) nor non-melanoma skin cancer (five studies; 857 cases) were associated with sunscreen use, with a pooled OR (95% CI) of 1.10 (0.92-1.33) and 0.99 (0.62-1.57), respectively. The cumulative evidence before the 1980s showed a relatively strong positive association between melanoma and sunscreen use (cumulative OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.66-3.33). The strength of the association between risk of skin cancer and sunscreen use has constantly decreased since the early 1980s, and the association was no longer statistically significant from the early 1990s. While the current evidence suggests no increased risk of skin cancer related to sunscreen use, this systematic review does not confirm the expected protective benefits of sunscreen against skin cancer in the general population.

Alcohol intake during pregnancy among parturients in southern Brazil / Consumo de bebida alcoólica durante a gestação entre parturientes do extremo sul do Brasil

Abstract Objectives: to assess alcohol intake prevalence and identify associated factors among pregnant women in the municipality of Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. Methods: this was a crosssectional study which included all parturient women residing in the municipality who gave birth in 2013. Two outcomes were characterized: alcohol intake during pregnancy and excessive alcohol intake during pregnancy. In the analysis, proportions were tested using the Chisquare test, whilst Poisson regression was used in the multivariate analysis. Results: 9.4% (CI95%= 8.210.5) of the 2,685 parturient women studied reported having consumed alcohol during pregnancy, with beer being most common beverage. Following adjustment, the factors associated with alcohol intake in pregnancy were: age ≥30 years, brown skin colour, living without a partner, low schooling, tobacco smoking and illicit drug use, having had more children and late onset of prenatal care. Excessive alcohol intake was found in 12.7% (CI95%= 8.616.9) of those who reported drinking during pregnancy and the factors associated with this practice were age ≥30 years, lower schooling and illicit drug use. Conclusions: this study found high alcohol intake during the gestation period and identified women more susceptible to this practice. There is an evident need for health professionals to work on preventing and handling alcohol intake among pregnant women in the municipality

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar a prevalência e identificar fatores associados ao consumo de álcool entre gestantes no município de Rio Grande, RS. Métodos: estudo transversal que incluiu todas as parturientes residentes neste município que tiveram filhos no ano de 2013. Foram caracterizados dois desfechos: consumo de bebida alcoólica durante a gestação; e, consumo excessivo. Na análise utilizouse teste quiquadrado para proporções, enquanto na multivariada, regressão de Poisson. Resultados: 9,4% (IC95%= 8,2 - 10,5) das 2685 parturientes estudadas referiram ter consumido bebida alcoólica durante a gestação, sendo cerveja a mais comum. Após ajuste, os fatores associados ao consumo de álcool na gestação foram: idade ≥30 anos, cor da pele parda, viver sem companheiro, baixa escolaridade, ser tabagista e usuária de drogas ilícitas, maior paridade e início tardio do prénatal. O consumo excessivo de álcool ocorreu para 12,7% (IC95%= 8,616,9) daquelas que referiram ter bebido na gestação, e os fatores significativamente associados a esta prática foram idade ≥30 anos, menor escolaridade e uso de drogas ilícitas. Conclusões: este estudo mostrou elevado consumo de álcool no período gestacional e identificou mulheres mais suscetíveis a esta prática. Evidenciase a necessidade de os profissionais de saúde atuarem na prevenção e no manejo do consumo de álcool entre gestantes neste município.