RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers, and melanoma is a highly preventable cancer. In Ecuador, few studies have evaluated the awareness levels of the population about the disease. For this reason, the objective of this study was to measure the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding skin cancer and its determining factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis using an online self-assessment questionnaire containing 40 questions was delivered. A total of 537 participants were included in this study. Knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were assigned to each participant based on the number of correct or appropriate responses. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: In total, 75% of participants referenced knowledge of the harmful effects related to noncontrolled solar exposure. Concerning sunscreen, 76.7% knew the reason for using it. The female group was 1.68 times more likely to get a higher score than the male group, and the groups between 61-70 and 71-80 years were 0.30 and 0.17 times less likely to get a higher score compared with the less than 20-years-old group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study indicate the requirement to increase the population's knowledge about skin cancer and possible protection measures. For this reason, the prevention and health promotion programs at a national level from primary healthcare centers are recommended. Due to the limitation of the representativeness of the sample, the use of more studies among Ecuadorian residents of the low socioeconomic level and replication in different provinces of Ecuador is justified.
RESUMO
Para conocer la adecuación de la ingesta de calcio y el consumo de bebidas carbonatadas en mujeres adolescentes en la Ciudad de Panamá, 180 estudiantes de sexo femenino de 12-17 años fueron entrevistadas en dos colegios públicos mediante un recordatorio de 24 horas y un formulario de frecuencia de consumo de alimentos. Según los resultados, la leche y el queso fueron las principales fuentes de calcio y los consumió el 60.5 por ciento y el 56.7 por ciento respectivamente; 1/4 del grupo consumió diariamente 1 porción de estos lácteos. Otras fuentes de calcio fueron el helado de crema y las leguminosas. El yogurt, refrescos y comidas con leche, hortalizas verdes, sardinas y alimentos fortificados no formaban parte de sus hábitos de alimentación. La ingesta promedio de calcio fue 440 mg/día ± 423 según la frecuencia de consumo y 314 mg/día ± 255 según el recordatorio de 24 horas. Ambos resultados son inferiores al 50 por ciento de la recomendación. El 72 por ciento del grupo consumió bebidas carbonatadas y la mayor parte (30 por ciento) tomaba una unidad diaria. Los lácteos fueron la principal fuente de calcio, pero la baja ingesta y el alto consumo de bebidas carbonatadas arriesgarían la futura salud ósea de estas adolescentes.
The adequacy of calcium intake from food and carbonated drinks consumption levels in a Panama Citys female adolescents group was studied. We evaluated 180 teenage girls (12-17 years) in two public schools using food frequency questionnaires and a 24-hour food recall. According to the results, milk and cheese were this populations main calcium source. Milk was a food source in 60.5 percent, while 56.7 percent indicated that they eat cheese. On average, a once-a-day intake of one of these dairy products was observed in 1/4 of the group. Ice cream and pulses were secondary calcium sources. Yogurt, milk-made meals and beverages, green vegetables, fortified food and sardines were not components of these girls food habits. The average calcium intake was 440 mg/d ± 423 according to the food frequency questionnaire and 314 mg/d ± 255 according to their 24-hour food recall. Calciums low level intakes are less than 50 percent of the recommended daily intake for this age group. Carbonated drinks were consumed by 72 percent of the group and 30 percent drank one unit daily. Dairy products are the main calcium source for the studied group. However, because of insufficient calcium intake and high consumption of carbonated drinks, the future bone health of these teenage girls is at risk.
Assuntos
Humanos , Feminino , Adolescente , Nutrição do Adolescente , Cálcio da Dieta/análise , Ingestão de Alimentos , Laticínios/análise , Laticínios/efeitos adversosRESUMO
The adequacy of calcium intake from food and carbonated drinks consumption levels in a Panama City's female adolescents group was studied. We evaluated 180 teenage girls (12-17 years) in two public schools using food frequency questionnaires and a 24-hour food recall. According to the results, milk and cheese were this population's main calcium source. Milk was a food source in 60.5%, while 56.7% indicated that they eat cheese. On average, a once-a-day intake of one of these dairy products was observed in 1/4 of the group. Ice cream and pulses were secondary calcium sources. Yogurt, milk-made meals and beverages, green vegetables, fortified food and sardines were not components of these girls' food habits. The average calcium intake was 440 mg/d +/- 423 according to the food frequency questionnaire and 314 mg/d +/- 255 according to their 24-hour food recall. Calcium's low level intakes are less than 50% of the recommended daily intake for this age group. Carbonated drinks were consumed by 72% of the group and 30% drank one unit daily. Dairy products are the main calcium source for the studied group. However, because of insufficient calcium intake and high consumption of carbonated drinks, the future bone health of these teenage girls is at risk.
