Prevalence and correlates of skin cancer risk behaviors in Madrid (Spain).

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of skin cancer-related behaviors in a representative sample of the population of the region of Madrid (Spain). METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study based on a telephone survey. A total of 2,007 participants aged 18-64 years completed a questionnaire that included items on knowledge about the risk of skin cancer, sun exposure, the use of ultraviolet (UV) lamps and sunburn during the previous year. Logistic regression models were constructed, adjusted for gender, age, educational level and employment status. RESULTS: Sun exposure as a risk factor for skin cancer was identified by 92.3% of participants and artificial tanning by 73.6%. Knowledge of risk factors was greater among university graduates and women (P<.001). A total of 14.6% were usually exposed to the sun in the summer during the hours of maximum UV radiation, while 4.3% had used UV lamps during the previous year; the use of these lamps was more frequent among women (P<.001) and young people (P<.05). The prevalence of sunburn was 13.2% and was lower among women: odds ratio (OR) 0.68 (95% CI: 0.51-0.90); this prevalence declined with greater age (p linear trend <0.001) and was higher among students: OR 1.60 (95% CI: 1.07-2.40). CONCLUSIONS: Numerous sociodemographic factors are related to UV radiation exposure and sunburn, with young people at highest risk. UV exposure is more frequent among women, whereas sunburn is more common among men.

Prevalence and correlates of skin cancer risk behaviors in Madrid (Spain)

Objetivo: Estimar la prevalencia y los factores asociados a las conductas relacionadas con el cáncer depiel en una muestra representativa de la Comunidad de Madrid (Espa˜ na).Métodos: Estudio transversal basado en encuesta telefónica. Un total de 2.007 personas de 18-64 a˜noscompletaron un cuestionario sobre conocimiento de riesgos del cáncer de piel, la exposición al sol, el usode aparatos de bronceado artificial y quemaduras solares durante el último a˜no. Se elaboraron modelosde regresión logística, ajustando por sexo, edad, nivel educativo y situación laboral.Resultados: Un 92,3% identificaron la exposición al sol como un factor de riesgo para el cáncer de piel,disminuyendo al 73,6% para el bronceado artificial. Este conocimiento es mayor entre las personas coneducación superior y en las mujeres (p<0,001). El 14,6% estuvieron expuestos al sol en verano durante lashoras de máxima radiación ultravioleta (UV), y el 4,3% utilizaron lámparas UV en el último a˜no, siendomás frecuente en las mujeres (p <0,001) y jóvenes (p <0,05). La prevalencia de quemaduras solares fue del13,2%, siendo menor en las mujeres (odds ratio [OR] de 0,68; IC95%: 0,51-0,90), disminuyendo a medidaque aumenta la edad (p de tendencia lineal <0,001) y más alta entre los estudiantes (OR de 1,60; IC95%:1,07-2,40).Conclusiones: Se detectan numerosos factores sociodemográficos asociados a la exposición a la radiaciónUV y las quemaduras solares, siendo la población más joven la de mayor riesgo. La exposición aradiación UV es más frecuente entre las mujeres, mientras que las quemaduras solares son más comunesen los hombres (AU)

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of skin cancer-related behaviors in a representativesample of the population of the region of Madrid (Spain).Methods: Weperformed a cross-sectional study based on a telephone survey.Atotal of 2,007 participantsaged 18-64 years completed a questionnaire that included items on knowledge about the risk of skincancer, sun exposure, the use of ultraviolet (UV) lamps and sunburn during the previous year. Logisticregression models were constructed, adjusted for gender, age, educational level and employment status.Results: Sun exposure as a risk factor for skin cancer was identified by 92.3% of participants and artificialtanning by 73.6%. Knowledge of risk factors was greater among university graduates andwomen(P<.001).Atotal of 14.6% were usually exposed to the sun in thesummerduring the hours ofmaximumUVradiation,while 4.3% had used UV lamps during the previous year; the use of these lamps was more frequent amongwomen (P<.001) and young people (P<.05). The prevalence of sunburn was 13.2% and was lower amongwomen: odds ratio (OR) 0.68 (95% CI: 0.51-0.90); this prevalence declined with greater age (p linear trend<0.001) and was higher among students: OR 1.60 (95% CI: 1.07-2.40).Conclusions: Numerous sociodemographic factors are related to UV radiation exposure and sunburn,with young people at highest risk. UV exposure is more frequent among women, whereas sunburn ismore common among men (AU)