Assessment of university students' knowledge of photoprotection and exposure to the sun

Introduction: The number of cases of cutaneous carcinoma has been steadily increasing, which calls for the necessity of improving cost effective health strategies aimed at preventing that disease and related complications.
Objective: To perform a cross-sectional study with data collected directly from the participants, through the application of a questionnaire.
Methods: Once the data was collected, the bivariate logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) between the independent variables and the risk behavior, which corresponded to the non-daily use of sunscreen and/or other photoprotection method. The sample consisted of 200 students – of which 50% studied mathematical sciences and 50% studied biological sciences.
Results: There was no significant difference between the students' behavior according to the different science field they were studying. Women presented lower risk behavior as compared to men (OR = 0.07; CI 95% = 0.01 - 0.56).
Conclusions: Most university students do not protect themselves adequately when exposed to the sun, with this risk behavior being lower in women. Actions aimed at photo-educating students are important.

Keywords: Disease prevention; Skin; Solar radiation; Students