OBJECTIVE:
to investigate sun exposure and sunscreen use habits among university students in Teresina-PI.
METHOD:
cross-sectional study with a representative sample. Associations between demographic characteristics and sun exposure and sunscreen use habits were investigated.
RESULTS:
398 students were interviewed. 54.8% reported exposing themselves to the sun less than 2 hours daily. The majority (66.8%) preferred times when radiation is less intense. 45.2% reported sunscreen use as a daily habit and 82.4% reported its use in voluntary sun exposure. T-shirt use was another form of photoprotection reported (44.2%) and 29.9% of students had received some professional guidance on photoprotection. Females reported daily and voluntary exposure sunscreen use (p <0.001) more often than males.
CONCLUSION:
most students referred preferring exposure to the sun at times when radiation intensity is low, using sunscreen and other sun protection measures during voluntary sun exposure.
Solar Radiation; Sunscreening Agents; Habits; Healthy Behavior; Cross-Sectional Studies
