Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Sun Exposure and Sun Protection among the Population of Kazakhstan: A Cross Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE

The aims of this study were to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sun exposure and sun protection among the population of Kazakhstan.

METHOD: A cross sectional study was conducted by administering an online questionnaire via social networking sites to residents of Kazakhstan. The questionnaire was designed to determine demographic information as well as knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding sun exposure and sun protection.

RESULT: The responses of 249 participants were analysed.  Descriptive tests, bivariate analyses, and multiple linear regression were used to statistically analyse the data. The mean age of the participants was 31.7 ± 11.5 (SD) years. Most participants were of Kazakh nationality (88.7%), female (71.0 %), urban residents (93.9 %), and possessed higher education degrees (88.0 %). The level of knowledge and attitudes were found to be moderate amongst the population whilst practices were determined to be low.  Knowledge (p=0.002), attitudes (p=0.002), female gender (p=0.002), and having children educated in school about sun safety (p=0.018) were significantly associated with improved sun-protective practices.

CONCLUSION

This study has demonstrated low adoption of sun protective practices in the Kazakhstan population, despite the identification of certain characteristics associated with higher rates of practice.