Current patterns of the sun protection measures adopted by nurses and the risk factors influencing their compliance

Abstract

The incidence of skin cancer is increasing worldwide. Included in high risk group are people who have light common phenotypic factors (hair, skin, eyes), have high number of naevi, report previous sunburns and have a family history of skin cancer. Protecting the skin from the sun by wearing protective clothing, using sunscreen and avoiding sun exposure are recommended among primary preventive activities. The purpose of this study was to describe the current patterns of sun protection measures adopted by nurses and to examine the association between compliance with sun protection measures and the main risk factors of melanoma. This cross sectional study was conducted in 2007 during the Annual Greek National Conference of Nursing. Nurses most commonly chose to use sunscreen, to wear glasses, to use an umbrella or to seek for shade in order to protect themselves against sun exposure. Finally, phenotypic factors, previous sunburns and common naevi presence were found to affect nurses' attitude towards protective measures. This study poses the necessity of targeting high risk groups for melanoma through campaigns aiming to foster sun protection behaviours.

Skin cancer knowledge and sun protection behavior among nursing students

“…Besides, the first year students preferred to sunbathe between 10.00 and 16.00 hours and showed riskier behavior. In fact, in studies made with different samplings (Brokalaki et al ., ; Nikolaou et al ., ; Saridi et al ., ), it was observed that individuals also sunbathed at risky hours and that the incidence of sunbathing was similar or even higher.…”

“…Phenotypic individual risk factors, such as hair, skin and eye color, are directly related to sensitivity to UV radiation. Persons with a light or fair complexion have a tendency to freckle or burn easily and are at higher risk (Brokalaki et al ., ; Mahon & Yackzan, ; Nikolaou et al ., ). A large proportion of the students in the study had dark brown or black hair.…”

“…It was observed that a large proportion of the students in both years did not know the number of moles on their bodies and did not perform self‐examination for the early determination of skin cancers. In other studies, just as in this study, it was determined that nurses (Brokalaki et al ., ) and adolescents (Saridi et al ., ) had similar numbers of moles and did not self‐examine their moles. If skin cancer is detected early, its treatment is facilitated.…”

“…The survey instrument was a questionnaire developed to determine knowledge and behavior, and was based on the current published work (Brokalaki et al ., ; Devos, Baeyens, & Van Hecke, ; Ermertcan et al ., ; Hedges & Scriveni, ; Miles, Waller, Hiom, & Swanston, ; Nikolaou et al ., ; Saridi et al ., ; Stanton et al ., ). After determining the questions, the expert opinions of one dermatologist, three academician nurses and two dermatology nurses were obtained.…”

“…Therefore, acquiring the knowledge and skills to change behavior in relation to skin cancers is relevant to the education of nurses. In a Greek study including nurses, women were found to use sunglasses and sunscreen more than men and age was also found to affect the use of protective measures with those aged between 30 and 50 years found to use an umbrella/shade and clothing to protect themselves from sun exposure more than those younger than 30 years (Brokalaki et al ., ). In other study (Ermertcan et al ., ), use of sunscreen and sunglasses in men over 30–40 years of age were significantly higher in doctors and nurses (52.7% and 50.5%, respectively) than medical and nursing students.…”