Exploring Knowledge and Self-Care Practice Toward Skin Aging and Sun Protection among College Students in Sulaimani City-Iraq

Abstract

Several studies have been performed internationally to assess the understanding and self-care exercise of people in the direction of sun exposure and sun protection measures, as self-care is an essential pillar of public health. Nevertheless, limited data on these factors are available from the Middle East. The aim of this study was to investigate the students’ awareness of skin aging and sun-protection measures among college students. For this purpose, a cross-sectional questionnaire was specially designed; a random sample of the students in the different college of the University of Sulaimani was selected. Data were collected between January and May 2017. The relationship between the skin cancer awareness and different sociodemographic characteristics was produced by applying multiple logistic regressions. The questionnaires were distributed to 450 college students. A total of 413 questionnaires had been completely responded and covered within the data analysis, with a response rate of 91.7%. 41% of the respondents were females and 61.0% of the participants were aged between 18 and 21 years old. 47% have been privy to the association between sun exposure and skin aging. The respondents had been more likely to be aware of the connection between sun exposure and skin cancer (P < 0.03). The respondents from the third class of undergraduates were more likely to be familiar (P < 0.04). Staying under the shade during the outdoor activity was reported by more than 90% of our participants and is positioned as the most frequently used sun protection method.