Sunscreen Use among Medical Undergraduate Students in a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Unprotected sun exposure could cause tanning, burning, hyperpigmentation, skin aging, and even skin cancer. Regular sunscreen use is a safeguard and a primary preventive strategy against sunlight-related damages. This study aims to find out the prevalence of sunscreen use among medical undergraduate students of a medical college of Eastern Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the current medical undergraduate students of 2 medical colleges in Nepal on sunscreen use from September 2020 to October 2020. Convenience sampling was done to reach the sample size of 300. Data collection was done after taking ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (IRC/1778/020). Data analysis was done by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 11.5 software. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The prevalence of sunscreen users was found to be 227 (75.67%) (70.81-80.52 at 95% Confidence Interval) among whom only 35 (15.41%) were regular users. Majority 144 (63.43%) applied sunscreen only on the face, 72 (31.71%) considered reapplication, and 155 (68.2%) knew the Sun Protection Factor value of their sunscreen. Cosmetic sunscreen was considered by the majority of the users 151 (66.51%). Greasy feeling 73 (100%) was the reason for avoiding sunscreen use amongst the non-users 73 (24.34%). Conclusions: The prevalence of sunscreen users among medical undergraduate students from our study was higher than other studies conducted in similar settings.

Knowledge and practice of sunscreen use among medical students at Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Nepal

“…Other studies also reported similar findings among medical students. 9,7,11 They lacked knowledge of application, mainly in the areas of season, place, skin color, and body parts to be applied and its frequency of application. Compared to ours, the students from Indonesia had better knowledge regarding these parameters.…”

“…Such gender disparities in awareness and usage of sunscreen among medical students and the general population were also found in other studies. 7,9,12 These gender differences may have resulted from cultural norms and societal expectations for females to have fair skin, which led them to prevent suntan. 13 On top of that, females are cosmetically more aware and concerned with their outlook than their counterparts.…”

“…7,8 In Nepal, though 75% of the medical students used sunscreen, only 15% were regular users. 9 This study assessed the knowledge of sunscreen and its use among medical students. Provided they have the appropriate knowledge, these aspiring physicians can be exemplars for promoting healthy sunprotection habits to the general public.…”