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Saleh MM, Awwad O, Abdel Jalil MH, Al-Qerem W, Saleh M, Al Thaher Y, Abdelghany S. Correlation of skin cancer and actinic keratosis-related knowledge and sun protection behaviors and sunscreen use among a sample of Jordanian population. J Cosmet Dermatol 2022; 21:7066-7074. [PMID: 36086979 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of skin cancer and actinic keratosis has increased worldwide. Measuring the public awareness, attitude, and knowledge about these diseases and the skin protection behaviors are highly important to undertake preventive measures. METHODS To investigate skin cancer and actinic keratosis-related knowledge, sun protection behaviors, and sunscreen usage among Jordanians, a questionnaire was developed. The questionnaire was provided as a google form to individuals via social media and the data were analyzed using SPSS® 23. RESULTS A total of 1277 individuals, aged 18-65 years filled the questionnaire. The median melanoma and actinic keratosis knowledge score were 7 (4-9) and 4 (0-9), respectively. The melanoma knowledge was higher among females, those with a medical background, a high level of education, and in the central region, whereas the AK knowledge was higher among those with a medical background. Overall, 75.9% of the participants used sunscreen at least often to prevent sunburn, uneven skin tone, or tanning, 72% were using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 at least. However, 45.3% and 49.2% of sunscreen users did not comply with application, and reapplication times, respectively. Moreover, 58.4% of participants applied less than the recommended amount of sunscreen. CONCLUSION Our study revealed that public awareness of actinic keratosis is low among Jordanians. Although it was found that a high proportion of Jordanians use sunscreens there are deficits in sunscreen practice indicating an urgent need to design effective interventions to increase awareness of actinic keratosis and correct use of sunscreen via health campaigns or healthcare professions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mais M Saleh
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Oriana Awwad
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Mariam Hantash Abdel Jalil
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Walid Al-Qerem
- Department of Pharmacy, AlZaytoonah University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Maen Saleh
- School of Medicine, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
| | | | - Sharif Abdelghany
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
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Sgouros D, Milia-Argyti A, Arvanitis DK, Polychronaki E, Kousta F, Panagiotopoulos A, Theotokoglou S, Syrmali A, Theodoropoulos K, Stratigos A, Rigopoulos D, Katoulis A. Actinic Keratoses (AK): An Exploratory Questionnaire-Based Study of Patients’ Illness Perceptions. Curr Oncol 2022; 29:5150-5163. [PMID: 35877268 PMCID: PMC9323725 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol29070408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary We recorded 208 patients receiving treatment for AK and conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, which aimed to investigate patients’ perceptions of their illness. Our main objective was the detection not only of the illness perception of AK patients, but also of its influence on their perception of treatment and the correlation with patients’ demographic characteristics and history, as well as the readiness to use sunscreen. The rising incidence of AK and its socioeconomic burden place the illness perception of AK patients among the most important barriers to overcome for the effective management of the disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies to attempt to unveil the illness perceptions of AK patients and their correlation with patients’ demographics and sunscreen use and the influence on AK treatment. We strongly support reinforcing the awareness of AK and the role of dermatologists is crucial for this direction. Abstract Background: Decreased illness perception among actinic keratoses (AK) patients is a major barrier to the effective management of AK. Objective: We aimed to investigate patients’ illness and treatment perceptions, their correlation to demographics and AK/skin cancer history, and secondarily the influence of these perspectives on treatment and sunscreen use. Materials and Methods: Participants completed questionnaires based on the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and statistical analysis was performed. Results: In total, 208 AK patients were enrolled. A large proportion were poorly aware of the disease (41.4%), with less than half (43%) being familiar with AK. Patients were aware of the chronic nature of the disease and its correlation to sunlight regardless of demographic characteristics. The level of education played a role in disease awareness (p = 0.006), and treatment plan perception (p = 0.002). The increase in sunscreen protection after AK diagnosis was higher in women (p = 0.009) and younger patients (p = 0.044). Patients’ concerns regarding treatment were mainly related to the duration (30%) and effectivity (25%). Dermatologists’ statements highlighting that AK are precancerous lesions (86.2%) influenced patients’ willingness for treatment. Conclusion: Improved awareness of AK is necessary to increase treatment seeking and compliance, regarding both treatment and sunscreen use. Dermatologists’ statements may have critical influence on patients’ decisions to receive treatment for AK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Sgouros
- 2nd Department of Dermatology-Venereology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (D.K.A.); (S.T.); (A.S.); (K.T.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +30-69-74816025 or +30-21-0583-2396; Fax: +30-21-0583-2396
| | - Adamantia Milia-Argyti
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece; (A.M.-A.); (E.P.); (F.K.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Dimitrios K. Arvanitis
- 2nd Department of Dermatology-Venereology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (D.K.A.); (S.T.); (A.S.); (K.T.); (A.K.)
| | - Eleni Polychronaki
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece; (A.M.-A.); (E.P.); (F.K.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Fiori Kousta
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece; (A.M.-A.); (E.P.); (F.K.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Antonios Panagiotopoulos
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece; (A.M.-A.); (E.P.); (F.K.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Sofia Theotokoglou
- 2nd Department of Dermatology-Venereology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (D.K.A.); (S.T.); (A.S.); (K.T.); (A.K.)
| | - Anna Syrmali
- 2nd Department of Dermatology-Venereology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (D.K.A.); (S.T.); (A.S.); (K.T.); (A.K.)
| | - Konstantinos Theodoropoulos
- 2nd Department of Dermatology-Venereology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (D.K.A.); (S.T.); (A.S.); (K.T.); (A.K.)
| | - Alexander Stratigos
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece; (A.M.-A.); (E.P.); (F.K.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Dimitrios Rigopoulos
- 1st Department of Dermatology-Venereology, Andreas Sygros Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 16121 Athens, Greece; (A.M.-A.); (E.P.); (F.K.); (A.P.); (A.S.); (D.R.)
| | - Alexander Katoulis
- 2nd Department of Dermatology-Venereology, “Attikon” General University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece; (D.K.A.); (S.T.); (A.S.); (K.T.); (A.K.)
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Al-Atif HM. A Cross-Sectional Survey of Knowledge of Skin Cancer in Saudi Arabia. Dermatol Pract Concept 2021; 11:e2021076. [PMID: 34123567 DOI: 10.5826/dpc.1103a76] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Skin cancer has become one of the world's leading health problems, and incidence rates are on the rise. The leading causes of skin cancer are sun exposure, family history and sunburn, and the most agreed-upon preventative behaviors are sunscreen application and sun avoidance. Objectives This study assessed the knowledge of the causes of skin cancer and awareness of preventative measures in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 529 participants in a WhatsApp group over 3 months. Consenting participants completed a validated, 18-item questionnaire. Results Of 529 total participants, nearly 55% of participants reported an awareness of skin cancer, 35% understood its metastasis and 55.1% knew about its spread. However, 44% of participants were unaware of the different types of the disease. Social media was reported to be the most common source of information. The majority of participants were able to identify symptoms of skin cancer and had knowledge of risk factors. Most participants understood proper preventative measures, and reported that they use sunscreen regularly. Conclusions The general knowledge of skin cancer in Saudi Arabia is not high but is increasing. However, sun-protective behaviors are lacking, despite the population's knowledge of the benefits. Awareness campaigns and incentive programs may encourage better preventative behavior. Future studies should explore participants' awareness of more specific aspects of skin cancer using a more diverse and extensive population sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hend M Al-Atif
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
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