Sun exposure behavior and knowledge on photoprotection of children and adolescents living in tropical regions

Background Excessive and continuous exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can cause skin cancer (SC), photoaging, and cataracts. Photoprotection (PhP) is the most important tool in preventing against these harmful effects. Elementary and high school students should be targeted in PhP campaigns because the solar radiation that youngers receive increases the risk of SC in adulthood. However, PhP policies are scarce in developing countries. Objectives To evaluate the use and knowledge of PhP with youngsters living in tropical regions. Methods 2,844 students aged from 4 to 20 years-old were interviewed about their knowledge on sun exposure and PhP habits. Age, sex, family income and skin phototype were statistically related to the proposed questions. Results Brazilian youngsters do not have the habit of wearing long-sleeved clothing (<15% in summer), nor sunglasses (0.0%), and hats (2.1%). More than 40% had no knowledge about UVI while another 30% misinterpret what it is. Less than half of all students wear sunscreen when out in the sun. Despite this low PhP use-rate, more than 90% know that UVR causes SC. Income was the factor that showed the greatest number of significant relationships respect to PhP. Conclusions Children and adolescents showed little knowledge about the sun exposure effects and lack PhP use. The lack of educational programs predisposes these youngsters to an increased chance of SC in the future. These results suggest that PhP campaigns should be part of school curricula from elementary school onwards.