Awareness regarding sun exposure and use of sunscreen amongst general population in a local hospital setting

Objective To assess the awareness level of the general population regarding sun exposure and use of sunscreen in a local hospital setting.   Methods A descriptive cross-sectional research was conducted in the Dermatology outpatient department (OPD) of Fauji Foundation Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan from 10th March to 18th August 2022. The sample size was calculated via Epi Info 7 with a Confidence interval of 95% (margin of error 5%) final size being 528. We took the sample via non-probability convenient sampling. 528 patients were recruited after taking their consent. They were asked to fill out a self-constructed questionnaire which had three sections. The first section was about demographics, second about awareness regarding harmful effects of excessive sun exposure and sunscreens whereas third section was about the use of sunscreen. Data analysis was done using SPSS 21. Calculation of frequencies was done and calculation of percentage was also performed while the Chi-square test was used to measure association among categorical variables.   Results  The result shows that majority of the respondents (79% male, 91% female) claimed to be know the harmful effects of exposure to sun exposure and use of sunscreen as a photoprotective agent, however, compared to awareness, the percentage of participants practicing sunscreen application as a photoprotective agent was relatively lower (45% in males, 81% in females). After statistical analysis, three factors were found to be associated with low awareness and use of sunscreens: (a) Male gender (p<0.001) (b) Lower education level (p=0.001 for awareness, p<0.001 for sunscreen use) (c) Darker skin tones that is Fitzpatrick scale 4, 5, 6 (p<0.001).   Conclusion The awareness regarding dangers of excessive exposure to sun in population at large is lacking with male preponderance and lower education level, skin type IV, V, VI being more associated. There is a difference in knowledge of sun exposure and sun protective behaviors predominantly in application of sunscreen. Even amongst regular sunblock users, an evident lack of appropriate sunscreen application and knowledge was observed.