Knowledge, attitudes and practices about sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients attending dermatology clinics at four hospitals in Lima, Peru

Exposição solar e conhecimento, atitudes e práticas de fotoproteção em pacientes de unidades ambulatoriais de dermatologia em quatro hospitais de Lima, Peru

Abstracts

FUNDAMENTOS: O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o conhecimento, sobre a exposição solar e fotoproteção em pacientes ambulatoriais tratados nas unidades de dermatologia de quatro hospitais em Lima, Peru. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal. A amostra foi formada por 364 pacientes originários dos quatro hospitais participantes. Os pacientes foram selecionados através de um processo de amostragem aleatória sistemática. Uma vez selecionados, os pacientes foram entrevistados para determinação do conhecimento, atitudes e práticas em relação à exposição ao sol e à fotoproteção. O teste do qui-quadrado foi usado para determinar diferenças significativas entre conhecimento e práticas. RESULTADOS: Os pacientes tinham em média 45,1±21,4 anos de idade, 55,9% eram mulheres e 54,8% tinham pele fototipo IV. Os principais riscos relacionados à exposição solar foram câncer de pele (80,5%) e queimaduras solares (77,8%). Participantes com nível universitário apresentaram maior conhecimento sobre proteção solar (p <0,001). O conhecimento de fotoprotetores foi relatado por 78,9% dos participantes enquanto o uso periódico dos fotoprotetores foi relatado por 52,3%. As mulheres tinham conhecimento amplamente maior sobre proteção solar (p = 0,001). Do total de usuários de fotoprotetores, 38,4% usavam o produto diariamente e 61,6% usavam somente ocasionalmente. O uso de fotoprotetores variou significantemente com o nível de escolaridade (p <0,001). Na maioria dos casos se encontrou diferença estatisticamente significante entre o conhecimento sobre fotoproteção e práticas de fotoproteção. CONCLUSÕES: Os pacientes ambulatoriais tratados nas unidades de dermatologia desses quatro hospitais em Lima têm um nível aceitável de conhecimento mas um grande número deles não haviam incorporado práticas de fotoproteção nas rotinas pessoais.

Conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas em saúde; Protetores solares; Neoplasias cutâneas; Raios ultravioletas

INVESTIGAÇÃO

Knowledge, attitudes and practices about sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients attending dermatology clinics at four hospitals in Lima, Peru^*

Elizabeth Thomas-Gavelan^I; Eliana Sáenz-Anduaga^II; Willy Ramos^III,IV; Leonardo Sánchez-Saldaña^V; María del Carmen Sialer^II

^ISantivañez Clinic, Piura, Peru

^IICentral Military Hospital, Lima, Peru

^IIIInstitute of Clinical Research, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru

^IVGeneral Directorate of Epidemiology, Ministry of Health, Lima, Peru

^VGonzales Clinic, Lima, Peru

^{Mailing address}

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To establish the knowledge, about sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients treated at the dermatology clinics in four hospitals in Lima, Peru.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a sample of 364 patients selected using a systematic random sampling process in the four participating hospitals. The selected patients were interviewed to determine their knowledge, behavior and practices in relation to sun exposure and photoprotection. The chi-square test was used to identify any significant differences between knowledge and practices.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients in this sample was 45.1 ± 21.4 years. Of the 364 patients, 55.9% were women and 54.8% had skin phototype IV. The principal risks related to sun exposure were skin cancer (80.5%) and sunburn (77.8%). Knowledge regarding sun protection was more evident in individuals with university/college education (p<0.001). In addition, 78.9% of the individuals reported that they knew about photo-protectors and 52.3% stated that they used them regularly. In general, women were more knowledgeable regarding sun protection (p=0.001). Of the total number of users of photoprotection, 38.4% used these products daily, while 61.6% used them only occasionally. The use of photo-protectors differed significantly in accordance with the individual's education level (p<0.001). In the majority of cases there was a statistically significant difference between knowledge and practice with respect to solar protection.

CONCLUSIONS: The level of awareness of the outpatients treated at the dermatology clinics in these four hospitals in Lima, Peru about the risks of sun exposure is acceptable; however, a large proportion fail to incorporate regular solar protection as a practice in their daily life.

Keywords: Health knowledge, attitudes, practices; Skin neoplasms; Sunscreening agents; Ultraviolet rays

INTRODUCTION

Ultraviolet radiation is the principal environmental factor responsible for altering skin homeostasis, affecting the survival, proliferation and differentiation of several cell types. The predominant form of ultraviolet radiation that reaches the earth's surface is ultraviolet A (UVA), with only a small proportion coming in the form of ultraviolet B (UVB). ¹ The progressive depletion of the ozone layer has had a major impact on the quantity of UVB rays reaching the earth's surface, which now constitutes a global concern due to an increase in the risk of UV radiationinduced mutagenesis and photo-carcinogenesis. In the southern hemisphere, where Peru is located, the ozone loss has been greater than that of the northern hemisphere; ² therefore it is important to be aware of the importance of the negative effects of an increase in ultraviolet radiation on this population.

The acute harmful effects of ultraviolet rays on the skin include damage to DNA, apoptosis, erythema, immunosuppression and an increase in pigmentation due to stimulation of melanogenesis. The long-term effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin include photoaging and photocarcinogenesis. ^1-7 Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most common malignant tumors of the skin in the adult population, in a proportion of approximately 4:1. Non-melanoma skin cancer is minimally associated with mortality; however, it is an extremely important public health issue and its prevention and early diagnosis are constant concerns due to its associated morbidity and in terms of the functional and cosmetic changes that reduce patients' quality of life. Cutaneous melanoma originates from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. It is considered the most lethal of the skin tumors. Early detection and the latest therapeutic advances have increased survival rates; however, mortality rates continue to grow as a result of the global rise in cases. ^7-10

In Peru, in a study carried out by the National Institute of Cancer (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas - INEN) between 1990 and 1993 in the population of metropolitan Lima and El Callao, non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) ranked fourth among all the malignant tumors. ¹¹ Despite being much less common compared to other types of skin cancer, malignant melanoma cancer (MMC) has come to represent an important challenge for dermatologists, since its incidence has grown more rapidly than any other type of cancer over the past few decades. ⁸

Epidemiological and laboratory studies have consistently shown that exposure to the sun is a preventable major risk factor for MMC and NMSC. ¹² It is estimated that 90% of cases of NMSC and 65% of cases of MMC worldwide are associated with exposure to ultraviolet rays. ¹³ The use of a photo-protector is an important and prime component in solar protection strategies, which must also include the use of tightly knit clothing and hats, attempting to remain in the shade and avoiding exposure to the sun during peak hours. ¹⁴ There is proof that photo-protectors have positive effects in reducing the signs of aging and the incidence of skin cancers. ¹⁵

Sun exposure and photoprotection-related behavior and knowledge are important pillars in the design of skin cancer prevention strategies. Primary skin cancer prevention strategies include increasing knowledge and awareness in individuals, changing sun protection behavior and implementing environmental policies and interventions. It is estimated that the regular use of photo-protectors during childhood may reduce the incidence of skin cancer by almost 80%. ^4,8,15-23

In Peru, during a skin cancer awareness health fair (2004), patients were asked to fill out a questionnaire, the objective of which was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practice about to skin cancer and skincare. This questionnaire also contained questions on sun exposure and photoprotection. ²² This survey found that knowledge on the adverse effects of sunlight on the skin and the need to use photoprotection does not necessarily imply that the individual will adopt suitable measures of photoprotection.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices with respect to sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients undergoing treatment at four dermatology clinics in hospitals in the city of Lima, Peru.

METHODOLOGY

Design

A cross-sectional study was performed among outpatients receiving treatment at the dermatology clinics of four hospitals in Lima, Peru: the Hospital Militar Central Luis Arias Schereiber (HMC) (the Central Military Hospital), the Hospital Nacional Dos de Mayo (HNDM), the Hospital Essalud Edgardo Rebagliati Martins (HNERM) and the Hospital Central de la Policía Nacional del Perú Luis N. Saénz (HPNP), the Central Hospital of the Peruvian Police Force.

The sample was calculated by taking the number of outpatients attending the dermatology clinics during January 2008 at each one of the four hospitals in Lima included in the study as a sample of the total population evaluated in January 2009.

Sampling was based on a known population selected using a systematic random sampling process. The sample was calculated using the following formula:

in which:

N = the outpatient population treated during the month of January 2008 at each one of the four hospitals: HNDM: 1342; HMC: 1580; HPNP: 2940; HNERM: 1261. The total population consisted of 7123 patients.

n = Sample

p = Proportion of the population with knowledge regarding photoprotection = 0.5

q = Proportion of the population with no knowledge regarding photoprotection = 0.5

Z_a = Critical level of Z with an a error of 0.05.

E = Accuracy of the sample = 0.10

The final sample was obtained by replacing the formula: HNDM: 90; HMC: 91; HPNP: 94; HNERM: 89. Therefore, the total sample consisted of 364 patients. The patients were selected using a systematic random sampling k interval, where k = N/n (k=19) after choosing a random setup.

Inclusion criteria consisted of outpatients who were seen at the dermatology clinics of the HMC, HNDM, HNERM and HPNP. The exclusion criteria consisted of: patients who did not agree to participate in the study or who suffered from a neurological or psychiatric disorder that would have prevented them from providing reliable information.

Techniques and Methods

As soon as the respective consents were obtained at the dermatology training unit and at the clinics in each one of the four hospitals in Lima to be included in the study, a survey was performed based on a questionnaire distributed among the patients selected at each of the dermatology outpatient clinics in the four hospitals. The survey was carried out by previously trained staff members, who interviewed the patients to establish their level of knowledge and their behavior and practices in relation to the risks of sun exposure and photoprotection:

Knowledge: risks of sun exposure, skin cancer and photoprotection.

Behaviors: intentional tanning.

Practices: sun exposure, sun exposure during childhood and adolescence, present use of photo-protectors, use of other measures of photoprotection.

General information such as age, gender, education level, occupation, place of birth, place of residence, skin phototype, and family and personal history of skin cancer was also obtained.

Data Analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software program, version 17.0. Univariate analysis was carried out by calculating frequencies, percentages and measures of central tendency and dispersion. A bivariate analysis was carried out using the chi-square test to establish the existence of a correlation between attitudes and knowledge. Calculations were obtained with a confidence level of 95%.

Ethical Aspects

Since the study consisted of a survey, no procedures were performed on the patients. The confidentiality of the data obtained was guaranteed and was used solely for the purpose of this study.

RESULTS

General characteristics of the patients

The mean age of the patients enrolled in this study was 45.1 ± 21.4 years (median 42 years), with only 1.1% of the sample consisting of pediatric patients (8-17 years). Overall, 55.9% were women and 44.1% men (Table 1). In relation to education level, 30.7% had completed university and 28.8% had completed high school (Table 2). The most common occupations were homemaker (27.7%), pensioner/retiree (14.8%) and professionals (13.4%). Of the total sample, 88.5% were from the Lima region, 2.7% from El Callao, 1.1% from Arequipa, 0.8% from Piura, 0.8% from Moquegua and 6.1% from other regions of Peru (Amazonas, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Cusco, Huancavelica, Huánuco, Ica, Junín, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Loreto, San Martin, Tumbes and Ucayali).

Background Information

Most of the individuals enrolled in the study had skin phototypes IV (54.8%) or III (26.3%). Regarding skin cancer, 3.8% of the patients had a personal history of skin cancer and 4.1% had a family history of skin cancer. The skin phototypes of the patients are shown in figure 1. Regarding the patient's exposure to the sun, 61.4% reported that they were exposed to the sun on a daily basis, 6.6% reported weekly sun exposure and 15.1% occasional sun exposure. The majority of patients spent approximately 1 to 2 hours (34.2%) or less than 1 hour (34.2%) in the sun. In terms of sun exposure during childhood and adolescent, 76.2% reported daily exposure, 8.2% weekly exposure and 14.8% occasional exposure, while 0.6% of patients were unable to establish the frequency of their exposure. Overall, 20.6% of the patients reported having suffered more than 5 episodes of sunburn over their lifetime.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding photoprotection

With respect to knowledge, 93.4% of the patients reported that they were aware of the risks of sun exposure. The most frequently identified risk was skin cancer (80.5%) as well as sunburn (77.8%), blemishes (74.0%), dry skin (56.4%), freckles (55.3%), aging (54.2%) and wrinkles (49.9%). A greater awareness of the risks of sun exposure was observed in the individuals with a university education (p<0.001). On the other hand, with respect to an individual's awareness of the risks of sun exposure, no significant difference was found as a function of gender (p = 0.153) or age (p = 0.255). Overall, 78.9% of patients reported that they knew about photo-protectors (sun blocks and sunscreens) and 52.3% reported that they used photo-protectors regularly. Of these, the sun protection factor (SPF) most likely to be used was over SPF30 (Figure 2). A greater awareness of photo-protectors was observed in women (p=0.001).

Of the 191 users of photo-protectors, 38.4% reported that they used these products on a daily basis and 61.6% occasionally. Regarding patterns of use, 62.8% reported that they used them only during the summer, 27.7% throughout the entire year and 9.5% only when it was sunny, irrespective of the season. There were statistically significant differences with respect to the use of photo-protectors as a function of education level (p<0.001), with use being greater in those with a university education (70.1%) compared to those who attended only technical college (48.6%), high school (36.5%) or elementary school (36.8%). Evaluation of the reasons given by the remaining 174 patients for not using sunblocks or sunscreens showed that the most common reasons were: not knowing about photo-protectors or considering them unnecessary for their type of skin (Table 3).

Of the entire sample of patients, 95.1% reported that they were aware of sun protection measures other than photo-protectors and 89.9% said they used one of these measures. Awareness (p=0.385) and use (p=0.070) of other photoprotection measures did not vary significantly as a function of the patients' gender. In the majority of cases, a considerable difference was observed between the knowledge and practice of the patients in relation to the use of photoprotection measures. The patients were aware of the measures but did not use them. In this respect, the greatest difference concerned wearing a hat and sunglasses (Table 4). Overall, 16.2% erroneously believed that a suntan made them look healthier and 12.3% had a positive attitude towards intentional suntans. A significant association existed between the belief that a suntan made individuals look healthier and their attitude with respect to an intentional suntan (p<0.001).

The most important source of information on photoprotection reported by the patients was the media (73.7%): television, radio, newspapers, magazines and/or the Internet. Other sources of information were healthcare staff (34.2%), family and friends (28.2%) and health campaigns (11.2%).

DISCUSSION

Since Peru is situated close to the equator where levels of ozone in the atmosphere are lower than those in the northern and southern hemispheres, the Peruvian population is exposed to the risks of solar radiation. Consequently, it is important for the population to be aware of and adopt suitable photoprotection practices in order to prevent the array of skin pathologies resulting from ultraviolet radiation.^24,25

This study shows that the degree of awareness of the population treated in the dermatology clinics of these four hospitals in the city of Lima about the risks caused by solar radiation is acceptable, this awareness being greater in those with university education. Furthermore, assessment of the correlation between knowledge and behavior with respect to sun protection measures revealed that despite having an acceptable degree of awareness, use of such photoprotection measures in the daily lives of this population was significantly lower.

The most relevant results included the fact that 38.4% of the individuals use sun blocks or sunscreens on a daily basis; 80.5% recognized that solar radiation caused skin cancer, 52.4% related it to premature aging, while only 16.2% believed that a suntan was healthy. These results differ in certain aspects from the findings reported by Castanedo-Cazares in a population interviewed in shopping centers at San Luis de Potosí (Mexico, 2006) where 11.8% used solar protection, 85.4% acknowledged that solar radiation causes skin cancer, 83.4% related it to aging, and only 26.5% believed that a suntan was healthy. This difference in attitudes and awareness could be attributed to the fact that the present sample consisted of patients undergoing treatment at healthcare centers and who would have received further information on photoprotection from their attending dermatologists. In the case of the study conducted by Castanedo-Cazares, the sample consisted of a population of 15 years of age or older visiting shopping centers. ²⁶

Adequate use of photo-protectors remains low in this country and below rates reported in other South American countries. ²⁷ The use of photo-protectors in southern Brazil reaches as high as 60.8%. In agreement with the findings reported from Brazil, the use of photoprotection found in the present study varied in accordance with the patient's education level. It is important to note that of the individuals who report using photo-protectors, a significant percentage does so on an intermittent or irregular basis. Pilot studies carried out by investigators at Boston University (USA, 2000) showed that the intermittent use of photo-protectors is associated with sun damage (sun burn cells, an increased level of perivascular inflammation, an increase in lysozyme activity in the dermis/epidermis and a reduction in the number of Langerhans cells) compared to daily use of photo-protectors, which actually reduces the harmful effects of sun radiation on the exposed skin. ²⁸ Another problem related to the poor use of photo-protectors is the amount used in each application. A study carried out in European students ²⁹ showed that, on average, individuals used one-fifth (0.3-0.5 mg/cm²) of the quantity recommended by the manufacturer on the product packaging (2 mg/cm²).

According to these results, of the 52.3% of patients who used photo-protectors, the vast majority did so only occasionally or during the summer season when exposure to the sun is greater, and failed to use protection daily throughout the rest of the year. This rate is higher than rates reported previously, based on data collected at the skin cancer awareness health fair (2006). In this report, 28.6% of individuals reported using photo-protectors. ³⁰ Regarding the amount of photo-protector applied each time by users, no data are available in this country and future studies will have to be conducted to permit this aspect to be evaluated. Nevertheless, the amount used is expected to be below that reported by users in Europe ²⁹ in view of the lesser degree of awareness in the Peruvian population regarding photoprotection in addition to the cost of photo-protectors.

The most important reasons given for not using photo-protectors were unrelated to the cost of these products (that was the third most common reason). Rather, they were associated with lack of knowledge or inadequate knowledge of the conditions and methods of use, which can be resolved by providing appropriate information.

It must be taken into account that the sample surveyed in this study was recruited at dermatology clinics in four hospitals; therefore, contact with the dermatologist may have exerted a positive influence on the knowledge of the individuals surveyed. In other words, the results obtained regarding the knowledge (and therefore the practices) of the general population who do not have contact with a dermatologist and/or healthcare personnel on a regular basis may be different.

The scanty data published in this country about knowledge regarding photoprotection represents a limitation of this study. The findings of this hospital-based study should be supplemented with population-based studies on the prevalence of non-melanoma skin cancer and the use of photo-protectors.

In conclusion, the patients treated in the dermatology clinics of the hospitals evaluated have an acceptable understanding of the risks of sun exposure; however, a high percentage fails to adopt photoprotection measures in their daily life.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to Dr. Alex G. Ortega-Loayza, Department of Dermatology, Virginia Commonwealth University, for critically reviewing the manuscript.

Received on 21.11.2010.

Approved by the Editorial Board and accepted for publication on 03.12.10.

Conflict of interest: None

Financial funding: None

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*

Study conducted at the Santivañez Clinic, Piura, Peru.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  23 Jan 2012
• Date of issue
  Dec 2011

History

• Received
  21 Nov 2010
• Accepted
  03 Dec 2010