Sun Protection Practices and Knowledge Levels Among Medical Students in Turkiye: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Pelin Hızlı; Rukiye Feride Polat; Gözde Eroğlu; Elif Ceyda Akmeşe; Furkan Çoban; Ali Güneş; Metehan Aktürk; Bircan Yacan; Gizem Savran

Makale detayları

Sun Protection Practices and Knowledge Levels Among Medical Students in Turkiye: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Yazarlar:

Pelin Hızlı | Rukiye Feride Polat | Gözde Eroğlu | Elif Ceyda Akmeşe | Furkan Çoban | Ali Güneş | Metehan Aktürk | Bircan Yacan | Gizem Savran

Yayıncı:

Balıkesir University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dermatoloji

Dergi:

Balıkesir Medical Journal Vol.9 Issue 2, pp.82-86

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357205

pISSN:

2564-6664

Anahtar kelimeler:

Özet:

 Objective: Ultraviolet radiation is a major risk factor for various dermatological issues, including skin cancer and photoaging. Sunscreen use is a primary protective measure, but adherence and knowledge levels are inconsistent, even among medical students. This study aimed to assess the sun protection habits and knowledge levels of medical students in Turkiye. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and May 2025 among 244 medical students from various universities in Türkiye. An online questionnaire consisting of 22 items was used to collect data on demographics, sunscreen use behaviors, and knowledge levels. Results: Of the respondents, 85.2 reported regular sunscreen use, with significantly higher rates among females 96.4 compared to males 62 p0.001. The most preferred SPF level was 50 53.2, and cream formulations were favored by 86.5. Application typically occurred 1530 minutes before sun exposure 61.2, though reapplication practices were poor, with only 11.7 consistently reapplying. While 85.7 believed in sunscreens protective benefits, 32.4 rated their knowledge as inadequate. The most frequently protected area was the face 77.6 Conclusion: Medical students in Turkiye display high levels of sunscreen use compared to the general population, though gaps remain in proper application and reapplication practices. Targeted educational interventions in medical curricula could enhance both personal sun safety behaviors and the delivery of public health messages.

 Objective: Ultraviolet radiation is a major risk factor for various dermatological issues, including skin cancer and photoaging. Sunscreen use is a primary protective measure, but adherence and knowledge levels are inconsistent, even among medical students. This study aimed to assess the sun protection habits and knowledge levels of medical students in Turkiye. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and May 2025 among 244 medical students from various universities in Türkiye. An online questionnaire consisting of 22 items was used to collect data on demographics, sunscreen use behaviors, and knowledge levels. Results: Of the respondents, 85.2 reported regular sunscreen use, with significantly higher rates among females 96.4 compared to males 62 p0.001. The most preferred SPF level was 50 53.2, and cream formulations were favored by 86.5. Application typically occurred 1530 minutes before sun exposure 61.2, though reapplication practices were poor, with only 11.7 consistently reapplying. While 85.7 believed in sunscreens protective benefits, 32.4 rated their knowledge as inadequate. The most frequently protected area was the face 77.6 Conclusion: Medical students in Turkiye display high levels of sunscreen use compared to the general population, though gaps remain in proper application and reapplication practices. Targeted educational interventions in medical curricula could enhance both personal sun safety behaviors and the delivery of public health messages.

 Objective: Ultraviolet radiation is a major risk factor for various dermatological issues, including skin cancer and photoaging. Sunscreen use is a primary protective measure, but adherence and knowledge levels are inconsistent, even among medical students. This study aimed to assess the sun protection habits and knowledge levels of medical students in Turkiye. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and May 2025 among 244 medical students from various universities in Türkiye. An online questionnaire consisting of 22 items was used to collect data on demographics, sunscreen use behaviors, and knowledge levels. Results: Of the respondents, 85.2 reported regular sunscreen use, with significantly higher rates among females 96.4 compared to males 62 p0.001. The most preferred SPF level was 50 53.2, and cream formulations were favored by 86.5. Application typically occurred 1530 minutes before sun exposure 61.2, though reapplication practices were poor, with only 11.7 consistently reapplying. While 85.7 believed in sunscreens protective benefits, 32.4 rated their knowledge as inadequate. The most frequently protected area was the face 77.6 Conclusion: Medical students in Turkiye display high levels of sunscreen use compared to the general population, though gaps remain in proper application and reapplication practices. Targeted educational interventions in medical curricula could enhance both personal sun safety behaviors and the delivery of public health messages.

 Amaç: Ultraviyole UV radyasyonu, cilt kanseri ve foto yaşlanma gibi dermatolojik sorunlar için temel risk faktörüdür. Güneş kremi kullanımı, bu zararları önlemek için başlıca koruyucu yöntemdir. Ancak, kullanım alışkanlıkları ve bilgi düzeyi bireyler arasında farklılık göstermektedir. Bu çalışma, Türkiyedeki tıp fakültesi öğrencilerinin güneşten korunma alışkanlıkları ve bilgi düzeylerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Mart-Mayıs 2025 tarihleri arasında, Türkiye genelindeki üniversitelerden 244 tıp fakültesi öğrencisinin katılımıyla çevrim içi anket yöntemiyle kesitsel bir çalışma gerçekleştirilmiştir. Anket, demografik özellikler, güneş kremi kullanım alışkanlıkları ve bilgi düzeyini değerlendiren 22 sorudan oluşmaktadır. Bulgular: Katılımcıların 85,2si düzenli olarak güneş kremi kullandığını bildirmiştir; kadınlarda oran 96,4 erkeklerden 62 anlamlı derecede yüksektir p0,001. En sık tercih edilen SPF düzeyi 50 53,2 olup, 86,5 krem formunu tercih etmiştir. Uygulama çoğunlukla güneşe çıkmadan 15-30 dakika önce yapılmıştır 61,2; ancak yalnızca 11,7si düzenli tekrar uygulama yapmaktadır. Katılımcıların 85,7si koruyucu faydalara inansa da, 32,4ü bilgi düzeyini yetersiz bulmuştur. Yüz, en sık korunan bölge olarak bildirilmiştir 77,6. Sonuç: Tıp fakültesi öğrencileri yüksek güneş kremi kullanım oranına sahiptir. Ancak, uygulama teknikleri ve bilgi düzeyi açısından eksiklikler bulunmaktadır. Müfredatlara eklenecek eğitim programları, kişisel ve toplumsal koruyucu davranışların gelişmesine katkı sağlayabilir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Güneş kremi, güneşten korunma, tıp öğrencileri, UV maruziyeti, bilgi düzeyi.

Makale detayları

Sun Protection Practices and Knowledge Levels Among Medical Students in Turkiye: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Yazarlar:

Pelin Hızlı | Rukiye Feride Polat | Gözde Eroğlu | Elif Ceyda Akmeşe | Furkan Çoban | Ali Güneş | Metehan Aktürk | Bircan Yacan | Gizem Savran

Yayıncı:

Balıkesir University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dermatoloji

Dergi:

Balıkesir Medical Journal Vol.9 Issue 2, pp.82-86

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357205

pISSN:

2564-6664

Sunscreen

sun protection

medical students

UV exposure

knowledgeGüneş kremi

güneşten korunma

tıp öğrencileri

UV maruziyeti

bilgi düzeyi

Sayı

Makale detayları

Yazarlar: Pelin Hızlı | Rukiye Feride Polat | Gözde Eroğlu | Elif Ceyda Akmeşe | Furkan Çoban | Ali Güneş | Metehan Aktürk | Bircan Yacan | Gizem Savran

Yayıncı: Balıkesir University

Ana Başlıklar: Dermatoloji

Dergi: Balıkesir Medical Journal Vol.9 Issue 2, pp.82-86

Belge Tipi: Makale

Yayın Tarihi: 8/2025

Belge Dili: İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.): 2001357205

pISSN: 2564-6664

Sayı

Yazarlar:

Pelin Hızlı | Rukiye Feride Polat | Gözde Eroğlu | Elif Ceyda Akmeşe | Furkan Çoban | Ali Güneş | Metehan Aktürk | Bircan Yacan | Gizem Savran

Yayıncı:

Balıkesir University

Ana Başlıklar:

Dermatoloji

Dergi:

Balıkesir Medical Journal Vol.9 Issue 2, pp.82-86

Belge Tipi:

Makale

Yayın Tarihi:

8/2025

Belge Dili:

İngilizce

Document ID (Org No.):

2001357205

pISSN:

2564-6664