Results of a public awareness campaign in Morocco regarding the sun's deleterious effects

To investigate knowledge of the various sun radiation-related risks and awareness of photoprotection measures using a sample of the Moroccan population.

An investigation of prevalence, which was administered while a public awareness campaign on the sun's harmful effects, organized by the department of dermatology of Ibn Sina's hospital in Rabat, was running. The collection of the data was made on the basis of a questionnaire that was filled by the team of the doctors of the department. The logistic regression allowed to identify the explanatory factors for the prevalent knowledge and behaviours related to the subject in hand.

Four hundred eleven subjects were included in the survey. The subjects' average age was 40 +/- 10 years. Eighty-four per cent were female. The analysis of the total score of knowledge related to the sunrays' deleterious effects demonstrated low levels of knowledge among 160 participants (38.9%). Females were clearly more knowledgeable than the opposite sex (P = 0.003) and also those having a higher educational level (P = 0.006) scored high. The use of sunscreens was recognized by 52.8% of the patients and was associated with female gender and higher educational level.

Our study reports the results of the first public awareness campaign on the sun's deleterious effects on the Moroccan population, inclusive and relevant to all ages. Awareness of the sun's radiation-related risks in a country as sunny as ours is low, whereas different measures of photoprotection are rather well known. Messages adapted to the characteristics of our population are a necessity.