Background : Globally, the incidence of skin cancer has increase progressively. In Indonesia, data from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital during 2000-2009 showed 261 cases of basal cell carcinoma, 69 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 22 cases of melanoma. UV radiation is the main cause of skin cancer. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends sun protective behaviours to reduce and prevent skin cancer. One of those sun protective behaviours is using sunscreen.
Methods : This descriptive study with qualitative approach was conducted among 126 students at Medical School of Atma Jaya Catholic University. Respondents were asked to fill out questionnaire about their knowledge, attitude, and practice on sun exposure and used of sunscreen.
Results : Most of the respondents were female (75,4%), aged 18 years old (66,7%) and most of the respondents’ skin started to show erythema after 30 minutes of direct sun exposure (38,9%). The majority of the respondents have enough knowledge (69%), enough attitude (44,4%), and enough practice (57,1%) about sun exposure and used of sunscreen. The analysis results showed that there are no significant correlation between gender and knowledge about sun exposure (p = 0,148) and between gender and attitude about sun exposure (p = 0,194). Otherwise, there is a correlation between gender and practice about used of sunscreen (p = 0,041). The analysis results also showed that there are no significant correlation between knowledge (p = 0,226) and attitude (p = 0,357) about sun exposure and practice about the used of sunscreen.
Conclusion : Knowledge, attitude and practice among students are enough. Enough knowledge only is not adequate to shows enough attitude and practice. More health promotion about sun exposure and used of sunscreen and behaviourally-based intervention strategies are needed. |