Korean J Dermatol.  1999 Jun;37(6):726-732.

The Evaluation of Attitudes toward Deleterious Effects of Sun-exposure and Behavioral Aspects of Using Sunscreens in Korea

• Park SB
• Youn JI
• Kim KH
• Kim ST
• Kim HY
• Lee SC
• Oh SJ
• Kim JJ
• Kang SH

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although deleterious effects of sunlight have been increased recently, the surveillance of the attitudes toward sun-exposure and the behavioral aspect of using sunscreens in Koreans has hot been cammied out.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the attitude toward the harmfulness of sun-exposure and behaviors of using sunscreens in Korea. METHOD: Five hundred and fifty-two subjects were surveyed to assess the attitude toward sun-exposure, as well as the subjects' knowledge about, and the use of sunscreens. Underlying data including demographic data, skin colors, skin types, occupation, and sun-exposure, were obtained.
RESULTS
Fifty-four percent of subjects believed that sun-exposure is bad for their skins, but, on the contrary, 12.5% believed it to be beneficial. Fifty-two percent of subjects used sunscreens. Almost all subjects(93.8%) knew why to use sunscreens but 62.7% of subjects did not know the meaning of sun protective factors(SPF). Women, indoor workers, subjects older than 40 yearsold, with less sun-exposed, fair colored skin, or with skin type I, II, III tended to know the deleterious effects of sunlight and the meaning of SPF and used more sunscreen.
CONCLUSION
High risk population - men, outdoor workers, subjects less than 40 yearsold, with more sun-exposed, dark colored skin, or skin type VI, V could be targeted with campaigns that promote attitudinal and behavioral changes.

Keyword

Sun-exposure; Sunscreen; Skin type

MeSH Terms

Female
Humans
Korea*
Male
Occupations
Skin
Solar System
Sunlight
Sunscreening Agents*
Sunscreening Agents