Awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru

Background Skin cancer incidence has increased over the last years, becoming a major public health problem. Objective To describe the awareness, behavior and attitudes concerning sun exposure among beachgoers in the northern coast of Peru. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Pimentel beach, Peru. The “Beach Questionnaire” was used and we surveyed all the beachgoers from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from March 5 to March 19. For the statistical analysis, sun exposure habits, sunburns history, knowledge, attitudes and practices were crossed with sex using the chi2 test. Results We surveyed 410 beachgoers, the most frequent phototype was type III (40.5%). Only the 13.66% of the respondents correctly answered the seven knowledge questions related to sun exposure and skin cancer. Men more frequently agreed that “when they are tanned their clothes looks nicer” (p = 0.048). Likewise, regarding the questions “Sunbathing is relaxing” and “Sunbathing improves my mood”, men agreed or totally agreed with more frequency than women (63.64% vs. 46.15%, p < 0.001; and 61.36% vs 49.15%, p = 0.014, respectively). Regarding sun protection practices, women more frequently used sunshade (p = 0.001) and sunscreen (SPF ≥ 15) (p < 0.001) when compared to the male group. Conclusion Sun exposure is a potentially preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Thus, awareness of the risks of UVR overexposure and adequate sun-protective behaviors and attitudes are essential. Our results, however, are not as favorable as expected. Public health efforts should encourage sun-safety precautions and intervention campaigns should be carried out in recreational settings, such as the beaches

Características del uso de tratamiento alternativo y complementario en dismenorrea en mujeres en edad fértil

Objetive: To describe the characteristics of the use of alternative and complementary treatment in dysmenorrhea in women of childbearing age in a city in northern Peru. The study: Cross-sectional analytical study in women of childbearing age in Mórrope, Lambayeque. Prior training on dysmenorrhea and main variables. 336 women were interviewed in their homes after accepting informed consent. Findings: The age group of 15 to 35 years prevailed in the studied population with 83.92% (n=282), with secondary education 57.14% (n=192), more than 90% had lower/marginal socioeconomic status. Regarding dysmenorrhea, more than 30% were found to have severe/unbearable pain, whose main treatment was MAC with 82.1% (n=220). Plants were the main MAC, only finding an association of MAC use with the religion variable (p=0.023). Conclusions: Women of childbearing age notoriously use CAM, such as phytotherapy, as a treatment for dysmenorrhea despite not finding reliefObjetivo: Describir las características del uso de tratamiento alternativo y complementario en dismenorrea en mujeres en edad fértil de una ciudad del norte de Perú. El estudio: Estudio trasversal analítico en mujeres en edad fértil en Mórrope, Lambayeque. Previa capacitación sobre dismenorrea y principales variables. Se entrevistó a 336 mujeres en sus domicilios previa aceptación de consentimiento informado. Hallazgos: Predominó en población estudiada el grupo etario de 15 a 35 años con 83,92% (n=282), con educación secundaria el 57,14% (n=192), más del 90% tenían estrato socioeconómico inferior/marginal. Referente a la dismenorrea, se encontró más del 30% con dolor severo/insoportable, cuyo tratamiento principal fue la MAC con 82,1%(n=220). Las plantas fueron la principal MAC, hallando solamente asociación de uso de MAC con la variable religión (p=0,023). Conclusiones: Las mujeres en edad fértil emplean notoriamente la MAC, como la fitoterapia, como tratamiento de dismenorrea a pesar de no encuentran alivio

Efecto repelente y tiempo de protección de aceites esenciales frente al estadio adulto de Aedes aegypti

The aim of this was to evaluate the repellent effect and protection time of essential oils against the adult Aedes aegypti mosquito. A completely randomized design was used with a factorial arrangement that included 10 essential oils (Minthostachys mollis, Schinus molle, Ruta graveolens, Piper aduncun, Myrica pubescens, Lippia alba, Mentha piperita, Lantana glutinosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globulus and the DEET control. 10%) and four concentrations of the oils (125, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/ml). Each experimental group consisted of 50 adult female A. aegypti mosquitoes raised in the laboratory and the repellent effect and protection time were evaluated using a sedated animal bait (Rattus rattus) with applications of 0.1 ml of the oils on the legs, tail and face. The rats and mosquitoes were found in two communicating cages of 25x25x40 cm. The oils with the greatest repellent effect and protection time, respectively, were C. citratus (97.4%; 165 minutes), E. globulus (95.8%; 165 minutes), L. glutinosa (93.8%; 180 minutes) and M. piperite (93.5%; 180 minutes) in its highest concentration (1000 mg/l); with differences between oils and between concentrations (p&lt;0.001). Likewise, DEET 10% obtained a repellency of 95.3% and a protection time of 173 minutes. It is concluded that the essential oils of C. citratus, E. globulus, L. glutinosa and M. piperita can be considered as having natural repellent potential for A. aegypti.El estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto repelente y tiempo de protección de aceites esenciales frente al mosquito adulto de Aedes aegypti. Se trabajó con un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial que incluyó 10 aceites esenciales (Minthostachys mollis, Schinus molle, Ruta graveolens, Piper aduncun, Myrica pubescens, Lippia alba, Mentha piperita, Lantana glutinosa, Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus globulus y el control DEET 10%) y cuatro concentraciones de los aceites (125, 250, 500 y 1000 mg/ml). Cada grupo experimental se constituyó por 50 mosquitos hembra adultos de A. aegypti criados en laboratorio y el efecto repelente y tiempo de protección se evaluaron usando un cebo animal sedado (Rattus rattus) con aplicaciones de 0.1 ml de los aceites en patas, cola y cara. Las ratas y los mosquitos se encontraron en dos jaulas comunicadas de 25x25x40 cm. Los aceites con mayor efecto repelente y tiempo de protección, respectivamente, fueron: C. citratus (97.4%; 165 minutos), E. globulus (95.8%; 165 minutos), L. glutinosa (93.8%; 180 minutos) y M. piperita (93.5%; 180 minutos) en su concentración mayor concentración (1000 mg/l); con diferencias entre aceites y entre concentraciones (p&lt;0.001). Asimismo, el DEET 10% obtuvo una repelencia de 95.3 % y tiempo de protección de 173 minutos. Se concluye que los aceites esenciales de C. citratus, E. globulus, L. glutinosa y M. piperita pueden considerarse con potencial repelente natural para A. aegypti