Abstract

TRUJILLO ALFONSO, M; LARRONDO MUGUERCIA, R; ALMEIDA CARRALERO, G  and  ORTIZ VAZQUEZ, D. Knowledge, means of information and photoprotection practices in patients with vitiligo of Placental Histotherapy Center. Rev. argent. dermatol. [online]. 2015, vol.96, n.2, pp.53-74. ISSN 1851-300X.

Introduction: solar radiations are an important factor in the human health. However, to be exposed them in an inadequate way without protection provoques the cutaneous aging, the appearance of photo induced illnesses and at least one skin cancer. Objective: to evaluate the level of knowledge, means of information and photo-protection practices in patients with clinical history of vitiligo in the Placental Histotherapy Center. Materials and Methods: it was an intervention study through a questionnaire applied 107 cubans patients, during the period 2013-2014. In the questionnaire partner-demographic variables and general aspects of knowledge were explored on the damages taken place by the exhibition to the solar radiation, factors of risk for the appearance of skin cancer, means of information and photo-protection practices. In the processing of data was used the Statistical Package for the Social Science SPSS (version 20.0). Health promotion activities were developed and informative sheets were distributed. We consider that the satisfactory level of knowledge when the patient response the 75% of the questionnaire correctly. Results: the level of knowledge was not satisfactory in 51,4% of those patients. The main source of information was the audiovisual means and the dermatologist. The most used actions were: the use of sunscreen, the search of places with shade, the use of umbrellas and wide wing hats, caps or long visor. The level of knowledge was significantly associated with the sunscreen use (p=0.006), and the group of patient smaller than 20 years old (p=0.03). Conclusions: the evaluation of the knowledge was not satisfactory in more than 50% of those patients. They carried out inadequate photo-protection practices. The means of information should be efficiently used as strategies of prevention in patients with vitiligo.

Keywords : Photo-protection; Vitiligo; Health knowledge; Solar radiations; Health questionnaire.