Awareness of Harmful Effects of Sun Exposure and Sunscreen Use in Korean

Background: Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers by sun-protection and sunscreen is the most commonly used method of sun protection. Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the awareness of harmful effects of sun exposure and behavior of sunscreen use in Korean. Methods: One thousand, two hundred and seventy-four subjects who visited Dermatology Department at Asan Medical Center between April and July 2000 were interviewed. The questionnaire provided information about demographic characteristics, daily sun-exposure time, and sunburn history in the year before. It also included the questions about the causes of wrinkle, sunspot, chloasma, and skin cancer, as the awareness of the harmful effects of sun exposure. The use of sunscreen or other sun-protective methods, and the knowledge about sun protection factor (SPF) were also reported. Results : The harmful effects of the sun in causing wrinkle, sunspot, chloasma, and skin cancer were conceived by 11.1 %, 24.4%, 41.4%, and 44.3% of the respondents respectively. Thirty nine percent of the respondents used sunscreens, and the other 61 % hardly knew necessity of sunscreens. Those who understood the meaning of sun protection factor(SPF) were 23.7%. Sun-protective methods except using sunscreens were use of a hat or a cap(53.2%), long-sleeved clothing(27.2%), a parasol(27.0%), heavy make-up(11.2%), and a towel(3.8%). Male respondents, people who were younger than 20 or older than 70, and those who had not sunburned the year before were less likely to use sunscreens. Conclusion : The results indicate an urgent need for education about the harmfulness of sun exposure as well as benefits of sunscreens. (Korean J Dermatol 2003;41(1) : 37-42)