PURPOSE: To evaluate habits of sun exposure and sun protection of pregnant women in a public hospital, to assess orientation about photo protection during the prenatal care, and to detect the presence of melasma and its impact on their quality of life. METHODS: A descriptive cross sectional study conducted among women of 18 years old and older, after delivery, who participated in a program of prenatal care in the South Region of Brazil. The sample was non-probabilistic by convenience. Data collection occurred from July to August 2011 through direct interview using a structured questionnaire to obtain personal information and photo protection habits during pregnancy, skin assessment and photographic record of lesions through informed consent. The skin was classified per Fitzpatrick's phototypes and the melasma was diagnosed clinically. In the patients with melasma, the MELASQoL-PB version was applied. The analysis was performed using Statistica®, version 8.0, and the significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: In the sample (109 mothers) predominated white women (60.6% phototype III), young (average age 24.4 years SD=6.1) and housewives (59.6%). The majority (80%) stayed exposed to sunlight for 1-2 hours per day between 10 am and 3 pm, and from those (72%) did not apply any photoprotection due to lack of sunscreen habit. Other physical means of sun protection were used by 15% of these patients. Information during prenatal care about the risks of sun exposure was reported by 34% of the mothers interviewed. There was a trend toward a significant association between prenatal guidance and daily use of sunscreen (p=0.088). About 20% of mothers had melasma. The average score MELASQol-PB (25) showed a negative impact on quality of life of these patients. CONCLUSION: In these women, sun exposure occurred at inappropriate times, without proper guidance and without the use of an effective sunscreen. The mothers with melasma complained about the appearance of their skin, frustration and embarrassment.
Melanosis; Pregnancy; Prenatal care; Protective agentes; Quality of life; Sunscreening agents
