Profilaktyka oparzeń słonecznych stosowana przez młodzież
Sunburn prevention used by adolescents

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: An appropriate dose of solar radiation has a beneficial effect on health by stimulating the immune system, reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases and cancer. However, despite the increasing number of social campaigns regarding sunburn, it still constitutes a serious health problem, both due to the frequency of occurrence and the risk of serious complications. The aim of this study was to determine the scope of preventive behaviours undertaken to counteract sunburn by primary and secondary school students. Materials and methods: The study involved 224 people, of whom 83.48% (n = 187) were female. An original questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions and questions regarding the prevention of sunburn was used. The study was voluntary and anonymous. The program Statistica v.13.1 was used to verify the statistical significance of the results obtained. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. Results: As many as three-quarters of respondents spend their holidays at the seaside. In summer, young people spend two to four hours a day in the sun. Statistically, this form of relaxation is more often preferred by younger children. Over half of the respondents (58%) have suffered sunburn in their lives, and the part of the body that the respondents indicated as most often affected by sunburn was the back (60%). Only 47% of respondents always use protective creams with an ultraviolet (UV) filter. Most respondents (75.45%), when wearing sunglasses, do not choose those with a UV filter. Conclusions: Schoolchildren do not follow some of the recommendations regarding sun protection. There is a need to educate society about the negative effects of excessive exposure to solar radiation.

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