Mannheim Institute of Public Health, Social and Preventive Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Feb 8;18(4):1615. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18041615.
Pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians play an important role in counselling customers regarding sunscreen use and sun protection measures. A potentially helpful tool that can be used during counselling is the ultraviolet index (UVI), which informs individuals when and what sun protection measures are needed at a specific place and time. Our aim in this qualitative study was to explore awareness, knowledge, and use of the UVI during counselling in pharmacies. We used semi-structured interviews with pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians ( = 20) to answer our research questions. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. During the interviews pharmacists and pharmaceutical technicians revealed a lot of uncertainty and lack of knowledge regarding the UVI. Eight professionals were able to give a correct definition of UVI. Amongst others, the UVI was confused with sun protection factor. Overall, the UVI was hardly used during the counselling of customers. The UVI was developed to provide guidance when which type of sun protection is required to avoid detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation. For effective implementation, both the general population and health professionals (e.g., pharmacists) have to increase their knowledge about the UVI. This would strengthen its use during professional counselling in pharmacies and may help to reduce the incidence of skin cancer over the long term.
药剂师和药剂技术员在为顾客提供防晒霜使用和防晒措施咨询方面发挥着重要作用。在咨询过程中，紫外线指数（UVI）是一种有用的工具，可以告知个人在特定地点和时间需要采取何种防晒措施。我们的目的是在本定性研究中探讨药剂师和药剂技术员在药房咨询中对紫外线指数的认识、知识和使用情况。我们对药剂师和药剂技术员（n=20）进行了半结构化访谈，以回答我们的研究问题。访谈进行了录音，并逐字转录，然后使用定性内容分析进行了分析。在访谈中，药剂师和药剂技术员对紫外线指数表现出了很多不确定性和缺乏了解。有 8 位专业人士能够正确定义紫外线指数。除其他外，紫外线指数与防晒系数相混淆。总体而言，在为顾客提供咨询时，紫外线指数几乎没有被使用。紫外线指数的开发是为了在需要哪种类型的防晒措施来避免紫外线辐射的有害影响时提供指导。为了有效实施，普通民众和卫生专业人员（例如药剂师）必须增加对紫外线指数的了解。这将加强其在药房专业咨询中的使用，并可能有助于长期降低皮肤癌的发病率。
