Avaliação do padrão de uso de fotoprotetores em pacientes dermatológicos atendidos no município de Lagarto/SE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The tendency to develop skin cancer and other skin diseases is extremely related to exacerbated, progressive and unprotected photoexposure, in addition to have an important genetic influence; individuals with fair skin, eyes and hair and who never tan are more susceptible to such skin diseases. Prevention through the use of photoprotectors and early diagnosis have been described as the main strategies to reduce the incidence of skin cancer, as well as the progression of the disease, costs related to treatment and investments in health services, as well as improving the prognosis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pattern of use of sunscreens in dermatological patients treated in the city of Lagarto, Sergipe. METHOD: Descriptive, cross-sectional and quantitative study, carried out through them application of questionnaires to dermatological patients at the Medical Specialty Center of Lagarto/SE, between October 2021 and December 2022, in order to identify and analyze the profile of the interviewees (gender, age, phototype, race, occupation) and the use of preventive measures. Data were collected using Google Form, tabulated in Microsoft Office Excel and statistically analyzed through the SPSS Statistics program. Qualitative variables were described as absolute and relative frequencies and quantitative variables as measures of central tendency and dispersion. Bivariate analysis was performed using Pearson's chi-square test. RESULTS: Among the 127 interviewees, the majority were female (70.1%), white (77.2%), had completed elementary school (59.1%), were farmers (53, 5%) and had skinphototype II (53.5%). Most of them used at least one sunscreening agent, but only 41% used daily sunscreen. Among these, about 59% did not apply sunscreen to their bodies and 51% did not reapply it or used to do it after 2 hours. A positive association was observed between use of topical sunscreen and female gender and education level. CONCLUSION: The dermatological patients in this research were part of the risk group for the development of actinic keratosis and skin cancer, but they had low adherence to the use of sunscreening agents, which require the implementation of educational measures regarding the change of risk behaviors and the need and importance of using photoprotectors as a strategy for preventing and reducing these conditions.