Scerri L, Aquilina S, Amato Gauci A, Dalmas M
Department of Dermatology, Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, Floriana, Malta.
J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2002 Jan;16(1):47-52. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-3083.2002.00376.x.
Concern regarding the rising incidence of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers in Malta has led to the organization of annual campaigns since the early 1990s. These aim to inform the public of the dangers of sun exposure and to promote sun protection.
To help guide future campaigns, a survey was carried out to evaluate current sun protection measures among the Maltese people and to assess their level of knowledge regarding harmful effects of the sun on the skin.
A total of 559 pedestrians were interviewed in the main street of the capital city of Malta in the summer of 1999.
Self-reported rates of regular sunscreen and hat use in adults exposed to the spring/summer sun between 10.00 h and 15.00 h were 51% and 32%, respectively, for leisure activities, and 25% and 37%, respectively, for outdoor work. Men reported using sunscreen less often than women during both leisure and work. The fairer-skinned outdoor workers actually reported making less use of a sunscreen and/or hat than their darker counterparts, and rates of sunscreen and/or hat use during leisure and work were not found to increase with the amount of time spent in the sun. Almost 75% of sunscreen users were using a sun protection factor of at least 15. Parents reported much higher rates of regular sunscreen and hat use by their young children than by themselves, with 87% of children under 12 years of age reported to be using sunscreen and 78% reported to be wearing a hat. The great majority knew that injudicious sun exposure is associated with skin cancer and skin ageing, but 48% were still regarding a suntan achieved without skin burning as 'healthy' The mass media was by far considered to be the main source of information for the general public regarding effects of the sun on the skin.
The positive impact of past campaigns can be seen in the high reported rates of sun protection in children. However, much remains to be done with adults in order to change their attitude about a 'healthy suntan' and to convince them that it is worthwhile to protect themselves from the sun.
自20世纪90年代初以来，由于对马耳他黑色素瘤和非黑色素瘤皮肤癌发病率上升的担忧，每年都会组织相关活动。这些活动旨在向公众宣传阳光照射的危害并推广防晒措施。
为帮助指导未来的活动，开展了一项调查，以评估马耳他民众当前的防晒措施，并评估他们对阳光对皮肤有害影响的了解程度。
1999年夏天，在马耳他首都的主要街道上共采访了559名行人。
在上午10点至下午3点暴露于春/夏阳光的成年人中，自我报告的休闲活动中经常使用防晒霜和戴帽子的比例分别为51%和32%，户外工作中分别为25%和37%。男性报告在休闲和工作期间使用防晒霜的频率均低于女性。肤色较浅的户外工作者实际报告使用防晒霜和/或帽子的频率低于肤色较深的同行，且休闲和工作期间防晒霜和/或帽子的使用频率并未随着在阳光下停留时间的增加而提高。近75%的防晒霜使用者使用的防晒系数至少为15。家长报告说，他们年幼的孩子经常使用防晒霜和戴帽子的比例远高于他们自己，12岁以下儿童中有87%报告使用防晒霜，78%报告戴帽子。绝大多数人知道不当的阳光照射与皮肤癌和皮肤老化有关，但48%的人仍认为在没有皮肤晒伤的情况下晒成古铜色是“健康的”。大众媒体被认为是公众了解阳光对皮肤影响的主要信息来源。
过去活动的积极影响体现在儿童中较高的防晒报告率上。然而，在成年人方面仍有许多工作要做，以改变他们对“健康古铜色”的态度，并使他们相信保护自己免受阳光照射是值得的。
