Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviors of Adults Applying to Primary Health Care Organizations on the Harmful Effects of the Sun and the Ways of Protection

Objective: It was aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of individuals on the harmful effects of the sun and protection ways. Methods: This research is descriptive and cross-sectional. The study was completed with the participation of 1634 individuals. As a data collection tool, a questionnaire including of 23 questions was used. Results: 30.4% (n=496) of the individuals had sufficient knowledge about the harmful effects of sun. Those who were educated more than eight years had knowledge about the harmful effects of sunlight twice as much than those who were educated less. In their daily lives, the time they have been exposed to sun was evaluated to be less than one hour, 1-3 hours, 4 hours and over, and results were determined 20.7%, 46.3%, and 33.0% respectively. The rate of using sunscreen cream is 40.3%; when evaluated according to gender, women were found to use twice as many sunscreen creams as men and this rate were found 54.4% and 24.2% respectively. Conclusion: It can be said that the knowledge and behaviors of the community about how to protect themselves about the harmful effects of the sun are inadequate. The fact that the health authorities is drawn attention to this subject for raising awareness of community, warned about the subject by all health workers, especially physicians, will be effective in protecting future generations from skin diseases caused by the sun influences.