Assessment of Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Levels and Sun Protection Behaviors among Karadeniz Technical University Students of Medical Faculty

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the knowledge levels of Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) Medical Faculty students regarding skin cancer, sun exposure, and sun protection behaviors. Method: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 826 volunteer students at KTU Faculty of Medicine between October and December 2024. Data was collected using Sociodemographic Information Form, the Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Scale (SCSKS) and the Sun Protection Behavior Scale (SPBS). The level of statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05. Results: The median age of the students in the study was 22.00 (IQR 25-75: 19.00-23.00), 62.1% female and 37.9% male. Total median score of SCSKS was 17.00 (IQR 25-75: 15.00-19.00) and total median score of SPBS was 25.00 (IQR 25-75: 19.00-21.00). The most preferred sun protection behavior was avoiding the sun and using sunscreen, while wearing a hat was the least used. Most of the sunscreen users applied it only to their faces. Female students (SCSKS:p<0.001; SPBS:p<0.001), fair-skinned individuals (SCSKS: p<0.001; SPBS: p=0.002), and those with nevi (SCSKS: p=0.002; SPBS: p<0.001) scored significantly higher on both scales compared to others. Eye color (SCSKS: p=0.529; SPBS: p=0.140), history of sunburn (SCSKS: p=0.282; SPBS: p=0.714), family history of skin cancer (SCSKS: p=0.786; SPBS: p=0.250) and solarium use (SCSKS: p=0.602; SPBS: p=0.447) were not associated with significant differences between groups. A weak positive correlation was found between SCSKS and SPBS (r=0.256, p<0.001). Conclusions: The study concludes that students with certain skin cancer risk factors did not show different knowledge or behaviors, indicating the need for increased awareness.

Keywords

• Medical students
• Skin cancer
• Sun protection
• Behavior

Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Öğrencilerinin Deri Kanseri ve Güneş Bilgi Düzeyleri ile Güneşten Korunma Davranışlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi (KTÜ) Tıp Fakültesi öğrencilerinin deri kanseri, güneşe maruz kalma ve güneşten korunma davranışlarına ilişkin bilgi düzeylerini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yöntem: Çalışma Ekim-Aralık 2024 tarihleri arasında KTÜ Tıp Fakültesindeki 826 gönüllü öğrenci ile kesitsel ve analitik bir çalışma olarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Veriler, Sosyodemografik Bilgi Formu, Deri Kanseri ve Güneş Bilgi Ölçeği (DKGBÖ) ve Güneşten Korunma Davranışı Ölçeği (GKDÖ) kullanılarak toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde SPSS 26.0 paket programı kullanılmıştır. İstatistiksel anlamlılık düzeyi p<0,05 olarak kabul edilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmadaki öğrencilerin medyan yaşı 22,00 (IQR 25-75: 19,00-23,00) olup, %62,1’i kadın, %37,9’u erkektir. DKGBÖ toplam ortanca puanı 17,00 (IQR 25-75: 15,00-19,00), GKDÖ toplam ortanca puanı ise 25,00 (IQR 25-75: 19,00-21,00) olarak bulunmuştur. En sık tercih edilen güneşten korunma davranışı güneşten kaçınmak ve güneş kremi kullanmak iken, en az tercih edilen davranış şapka kullanımıdır. Güneş kremi kullananların çoğunluğu yalnızca yüzlerine uygulama yapmıştır. Kadın öğrenciler (DKGBÖ: p<0,001; GKDÖ: p<0,001), açık tenli olanlar (DKGBÖ: p<0,001; GKDÖ: p=0,002) ve nevüsü bulunan öğrenciler (DKGBÖ: p=0,002; GKDÖ: p<0,001) her iki ölçekte de diğerlerine göre anlamlı derecede daha yüksek puan almıştır. Göz rengi (DKGBÖ: p=0,529; GKDÖ: p=0,140), güneş yanığı öyküsü (DKGBÖ: p=0,282; GKDÖ: p=0,714), ailede deri kanseri öyküsü (DKGBÖ: p=0,786; GKDÖ: p=0,250) ve solaryum kullanımı (DKGBÖ: p=0,602; GKDÖ: p=0,447) açısından gruplar arasında anlamlı bir fark saptanmamıştır. DKGBÖ ile GKDÖ arasında zayıf pozitif bir korelasyon bulunmuştur (r=0,256, p<0.001). Sonuç: Çalışma, bazı deri kanseri risk faktörlerine sahip öğrencilerin bilgi ve davranış açısından farklılık göstermediğini, bu nedenle farkındalığın artırılması gerektiğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• Tıp öğrencileri
• Güneşten korunma
• Davranış
• deri kanseri

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