Knowledge and practices regarding sunscreen use among university students: A cross-sectional survey in Jordan

Excessive exposure to unprotected sunlight increases the risk of premature skin aging and cancer. University students can be considered a high-risk group for the short- and long-term adverse effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, owing to their intensive exposure to the sun. This study aimed to evaluate university students’ knowledge and practice of sunscreen use in Northern Jordan. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge and practice. The questionnaire was created using Google Forms and was distributed online on different social media platforms. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling and snowball questionnaire distribution. A total of 915 university students participated in this study. The results showed that the students were aware of the different types of skin damage resulting from exposure to sunlight. Female participants and those who took courses on skincare or cosmetics had higher knowledge scores. Participants from faculties unrelated to human health had lower knowledge scores. Most participants used sunscreen (80.1%), and there was a significant association between sunscreen use and sex. Female participants had a higher usage of sunscreen than male participants (90.5% compared to 36.1%, p < 0.001). Participants who used sunscreen continuously had a higher average knowledge score (3.0 ± 1.1) than other participants who used sunscreen frequently (2.9 ± 1.1), sometimes (2.6 ± 1.3), or rarely (2.4 ± 1.2), p < 0.001. Three-quarters of sunscreen users apply it immediately without renewal. Less than half of sunscreen users apply sunscreen indoors. Pharmacies were still the primary providers of sunscreen products, where most participants bought sunscreen agents (80.8%). In conclusion, the knowledge and practice of sunscreen use among students in Northern Jordan were reasonably acceptable. However, there is a need for awareness campaigns focusing on the importance of sunscreen products. Future awareness campaigns should be directed toward informing students of the need for reapplication and protection against both UVA and UVB radiation.