INTRODUCTION

: Ultraviolet rays can have damaging health effects and cause from sunburn all the way up to diseases such as cancer. Thus, precautionary measures against intense solar radiation are important. OBJECTIVES: The overall objective of this study was to determine whether there is an association between photoprotection knowledge and practices in Peruvianbeach-goers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

: An analytical cross-sectional study comparing survey and observational data obtained from 380 Peruvians at eight beaches in Lima was conducted. The participants answered a questionnaire where knowledge was categorized into high and low, and reported practices were dichotomized as appropriate and inappropriate. For variable analysis, Chi square test of Pearson and Poisson regression model adjusted for age, sex, education level and marital status were used.

RESULTS

: It was found that the most common reported appropriate practice of photoprotection was the use of sunscreen (63%) and the least frequent was the appropriate use of a long sleeve t-shirt and long pants (9.7%). It was also evident that there is a significant relationship between high knowledge and three core practices, including use of sunscreen, beach umbrellas and sunglasses.

CONCLUSIONS

: In this sample of Peruvian beach-goers, participants generally reported poor photoprotection practices; furthermore, knowledge about sun protection did not assure the practice of all photoprotection measures.