Özet:

Objective: The increase of skin cancer incidence all over the world on recent years is in parallel with the increase in sun exposure. The purpose of this study was to investigate sun protection behaviour and knowledge about harmful effects of the sun on skin and skin cancer ethiopathogenesis among doctors working in Adnan Menderes University Hospital. Methods: Aquestionnaire containing 26 questions was prepared for the cross-sectional designed study and given to 330 doctors to be answered (158 specialists and 172 residents). Results: 196 doctors answered the questionnaire. Mean age was 34.1±7.1, 51.5% of the study population were women and 48.5% were men. Staying under the shade, not going out in midday, use of sunglasses were among the first three methods of sun protection practiced by the doctors. Use of sun protection product most of the time or everytime was in the 4th place (56%). Women stated more frequent use of sun protection product than men. Mean number of correct answers given to 9 questions about sun effects and skin cancer was 5.4±1.4. Immunsuppresive effect of the sun was known by 8.7% and better sun protection offered by clothes with dark colour was known by 15.3%. Doctors with sun sensitive phenotype and who had given more correct answers stated more frequent use of sun protection (p Conclusion: Doctors working in this hospital do not have sufficient knowledge about skin cancers and the optimal mode of sun protection. Public education for harmful effects of sun and prevention of skin cancer is mainly the duty of dermatologists but all doctors should have some input for this purpose. Therefore, we believe that there is a need for improvement about knowledge of all doctors for effects of the sun on skin, skin cancer and means of sun protection.

Anahtar Kelimeler: