SUN PROTECTION BEHAVIOR AMONG ADOLESCENTS - A COMPARATIVE STUDY CONDUCTED IN 2008 AND 2012

Adolescents should limit their exposure to sun and apply sun protection measures. The purpose of this study was to establish changes in adolescents behavior regarding sun protection beetwen years 2008 and 2012, as well as to assess the impact of sex and skin photo-type on behavior in order to suggest positive sun protection behavior practised in other countries and to improve educational program.

An original, tailormade questionnaire (about the skin types, exposure to sun and the use of sunbed) was distributed among 16 and 17-year-old students in high school in Belgrade, Serbia to be fulfilled within the framework of the educational project in. 2008 and 2012. Data were analyzed by the Pearson's chi square test and logistic regression analyses.

The total number of questionnaires completed in 2008 and in 2012 was 1138 and 583, respectively. In 2012, the students spent less time outdoors. According to the 2008 survey, the girls used more sun protection measures, but reported more sunburns and the use of sunbed than the boys. In 2012 more sunburns were reported by the boys as well as the increased use of the sunglasses, wearing a hat/cap and staying in the shade.

There were statistically significant changes in behavior of adolescents regarding exposure to sun between 2008 and 2012, and between male and female gender. It is recommended to organize regular educational interventions at schools which should emphasize the following: the importance of sun protection measures, limited sunbathing and outdoor physical activities as well.