Sun exposure practices, attitudes and knowledge among students and teachers at a University School of Health Sciences in Ecuador.

Skin cancer incidence is increasing worldwide. Late adolescence and young adulthood are fundamental stages of life to acquire good sun exposure practices, regarding both personal involvement in skin cancer prevention and being a role model for others, especially in a health education environment. This descriptive cross-sectional study is based on the validated CHACES questionnaire to study sun exposure and photoprotection behavior among students and teachers at the School of Health Sciences in the National University of Chimborazo, Riobamba (Ecuador). University members (814 students (89.8 %) and 93 teachers (10.2 %)) were studied, with a predominance of females and light-skin phototypes in both groups. Similar results were obtained regarding sun exposure, with higher recreative exposure in the teachers' group and higher occupational exposure in students. However, students significantly showed lower avoiding midday sun (41.9 % vs 60.9 %), and lower use of sunglasses (10.1 % vs. 41.6 %). Attitudes towards the sun and photoprotection knowledge issues were also equivalent between students and teachers (6.1/10 vs 6.2/10). Students' sunburn rate last year reaches 88.4 % and 52.7 % in teachers (p < 0.001). Using a multivariable logistic regression model, we identified risk factors associated with a greater risk of sunburn in our population. This study highlights areas to be improved regarding knowledge, attitudes and, especially, practices of photoprotection, among students and teachers at the University of Chimborazo. These results point out that awareness-raising campaigns should be implemented to reduce sunburns, morbidity and mortality of skin cancer in this environment.

Sun exposure and protection habits in transplant athletes: An international survey.

BACKGROUND: Transplant recipients are particularly prone to the development of skin cancer, and overexposure to UV radiation during outdoor activities increases the risk of carcinogenesis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze sun-related behaviors and knowledge in transplant athletes, examine the frequency of sunburns, and explore associations with a history of skin cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Participants (n = 170) in the XXI World Transplant Games from >50 countries completed a questionnaire on sun protection habits and knowledge, type of transplant, immunosuppressive therapy, and personal history of skin cancer. RESULTS: The most common transplanted organs were the kidney (n = 79), the liver (n = 33), and the heart (n = 31). Overall, 61.3% of athletes had been doing sport for >15 years and 79.5% spent >1-2 h a day outdoors. Fifteen % of athletes had a history of skin cancer. The prevalence of sunburn in the previous year was 28.9%, higher in athletes aged <50 years (37.2%); without a primary school education (58.3%), not taking cyclosporin (32.6%), and athletes who played basketball (75%). The main sun protection measures used were sunscreen (68.9%) and sunglasses (67.3%). Use of a hat or cap was the only measure significantly associated with a reduced prevalence of sunburn. CONCLUSIONS: Despite high awareness that sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, sunburn was common in transplant athletes. Efforts should be made to strengthen multidisciplinary sun protection education strategies and ensure periodic dermatologic follow-up to prevent sun-induced skin cancer in this population.

Sun-related behaviors, attitudes and knowledge among paralympic sailors.

BACKGROUND: Overexposure to sunlight is the main cause of skin cancer. Outdoor sports increased sun exposure times. Sun protection behaviors and attitudes are utmost importance to reduce sun exposure. AIMS: To evaluate sun exposure habits, sun protection practices, and sun-related attitudes and knowledge among paralympic sailors. METHODS: This descriptive observational study analysed the answers of a validated self-reported questionnaire of habits, attitudes and knowledge related to sun exposure and skin cancer completed by 56 elite sailors with disabilities from 19 countries which taking part in 2019 Para World Sailing Championships. RESULTS: Three in four (76.8%) participants reported a history of sunburn in the previous season. Overall, participants showed an average for sport practice per week of 8.0 h (SD: 4.9). Participants reported a low adherence to sun protection practice, with the exception of using sunglasses (85.7%), sunscreen (83.9%) and hat (75%), having a very low rate (28.6%) of avoidance of midday sun and an inadequate sunscreen reapplication (33.9% reported "do not reapply" and 16.1% "reapply every one or 2 h"). Although 82.1% of participants reported to be worried about can get skin cancer out of the sun, they also presented excessive sun tanning attitudes (42.9% likes sunbathing and 57.1% sunbathing makes them feel well). The average score for sun-related knowledge was low (62.1 out 100 points; SD: 13.6). CONCLUSIONS: Awareness campaigns on sun risk are needed specifically directed at this target group, in order to improve their sun protection habits and reduce the rates of sunburn associated with sports practice.

Validation of a Questionnaire Designed to Study Knowledge, Attitudes, and Habits Related to Sun Exposure Among Young Adults: The CHACES Questionnaire. / Validación de un cuestionario para el estudio sobre hábitos, actitudes y conocimientos en fotoprotección en la población adultojuvenil: «cuestionario CHACES¼.

Skin cancer prevention campaigns in schools have been shown to be both effective and cost-effective. The success of such programs depends on the use of an appropriate design informed by a prior survey of the target population (pupils, teachers, and parents). There are, however, very few validated Spanish-language questionnaires designed to study the habits and knowledge of this population with respect to sun exposure in childhood and none designed for use with a young adult population. OBJECTIVES: To construct and validate a questionnaire designed to explore sun exposure behaviors in a young adult population. METHODOLOGY: Two questionnaires were developed, one for adults (18+) and the other for young adults (11-17); both included demographic information, skin color, Fitzpatrick skin type, and history of sunburn as well as questions on knowledge, attitudes and practices related to sun exposure. The content was then piloted and its validity analyzed. The subsequent validation study was divided into 2 phases as follows: 1) analysis of the validity and internal consistency of the items in a cross-sectional study of 1,482 adults and adolescents, using exploratory factor analysis to test construct validity and Cronbach α to measure internal consistency; and 2) evaluation of test-retest reliability in 39 individuals. RESULTS: The pilot study demonstrated the content validity of both questionnaires. Principal component analysis revealed that 2 components in each of the dimensions studied accounted for over 50% of the variance. A good correlation was found between the items studied. Validity was demonstrated in the first phase of the analysis with a Cronbach α of between 0.45 and 0.8 for all components except knowledge (0.335). In the second phase, test-retest reliability was demonstrated (absolute agreement>60%). CONCLUSIONS: The psychometric properties of the questionnaire make it a valid and reliable tool for the study of knowledge, attitudes, and habits with respect to sun exposure in the young adult school population.

Sun Protection Habits and Sunburn in Elite Aquatics Athletes: Surfers, Windsurfers and Olympic Sailors.

The objective of this study was to analyse the sun exposure habits of elite aquatics athletes, together with their sunburn history and skin examination habits, taking into account differences by sex and between sports. A cross-sectional health survey was conducted at world championship events during which elite surfers, windsurfers and Olympic sailors from 30 different countries were invited to participate. The athletes were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire focused on sun protection habits, sun exposure and sports practices. The survey was completed by 240 athletes, 171 men (71.3%) and 69 women (28.8%), with a mean age of 22 years (SD 5.86) and skin phototypes I (6.3%), II (3.3%), III (22.0%), IV (32.5%), V (9.2%) and VI (1.7%). There were significant differences between male and female athletes in skin self-examination (p < 0.001) and in the use of sunglasses (p < 0.001). In sunburn history during the last season, there were significant differences (p < 0.001) among the three sports analysed, in both sexes. The mean rate of sunburn during the previous season was 76.7%, and 27.5% of participants reported having experienced three or more sunburns that lasted at least 1 day. This type of athlete is at high risk of sunburn and hence of future skin cancer. However, there is a general lack of awareness of this risk. This study highlights the need to inform such athletes and to raise awareness of the dangers, through educational interventions on the importance of protecting against sunburn in order to reduce the future incidence of skin cancer.

Creation Of The «Soludable¼ Sun Protection Accreditation Program For Schools. / Creación del distintivo Soludable: un modelo de certificación en fotoprotección para centros escolares.

INTRODUCTION: Sun exposure during childhood is the main risk factor for skin cancer in later life. School-based sun protection policies and practices have proven to be the most effective and cost-effective strategies for preventing skin cancer. OBJECTIVE: To develop a sun protection accreditation program known as «Soludable¼ (a play on the Spanish words sol [sun] and saludable [healthy]) to objectively identify schools that actively promote sun protection behaviors among students. METHODS: The consensus method used was a 2-round Delphi technique with input from a panel of experts. We then calculated the median scores for the importance and feasibility of each of the recommendations proposed and the level of complexity assigned to each recommendation by counting the percentage of experts who chose each difficulty category. RESULTS: The resulting accreditation model consists of 14 recommendations with corresponding evaluation criteria divided into 7 domains: 1) organizational leadership (5 recommendations), 2) effective communication (2 recommendations), 3) structural elements (2 recommendations), 4) training of professionals (1 recommendation), 5) school curriculum (1 recommendation), 6) behavioral models (2 recommendations), and 7) student habits (1 recommendation). A high level of agreement among experts was observed for all recommendations, in terms of both their perceived importance and feasibility and their categorization by levels of complexity. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first sun protection accreditation program developed for Spanish schools. Studies are needed to evaluate how this program is received and how it affects students' sun protection behaviors.

Survival study of treatment adherence by patients given oral oxibutynin for hyperhidrosis.

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, increasing use has been made of oral anticholinergics such as oxybutynin for the management of hyperhidrosis. The primary aim of this study is to determine the variables associated with adherence to this treatment, and secondarily to obtain data on its effectiveness, safety and adverse effects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a prospective study of patients with hyperhidrosis, at any location, receiving treatment with oral oxybutynin in the period 2007-2016. Epidemiological variables, treatment details, effectiveness and adverse effects were recorded. Effectiveness was determined according to the Hyperhidrosis Disease Severity Scale (HDSS) at baseline, at 3 and 12 months and in successive visits. A descriptive analysis was performed, and Cox's bivariate and multivariate regressions were calculated to determine the variables associated with treatment adherence. RESULTS: A total of 201 patients (140 women) with a mean age of 34 years were included. The mean initial HDSS score was 3.8, and the median follow-up period was 29 months. At 3 months, 84.57% of the patients had responded to treatment (excellent response: 72.94%), but adverse effects were reported by 68.2%. At 12 months, 54.23% had responded (excellent response: 79.82%), with adverse effects in 75.2%. The main variable associated with greater adherence was affected areas: palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The following variables were associated with poorer adherence: onset of hyperhidrosis in adolescence, failure to provide an incrementally increasing, individualized dose, initial HDSS score of 3 and partial initial response. The multivariate analysis confirmed the association between the onset of hyperhidrosis during adolescence, the failure to provide a progressively increasing dose and palmar affectation. DISCUSSION: This study was conducted to identify the variables associated with adherence to treatment by hyperhidrosis patients treated with oral oxybutynin. This information would facilitate selection of patients for this treatment and enhance our understanding of the biological behaviour of such anticholinergics when used to treat hyperhidrosis.