Introduction: Both insufficient and excessive exposure to UV radiation (UVR) lead to serious health consequences: Caucasian people living in northern Europe commonly suffer from vitamin D deficiencies, constant increasing number of melanoma incidents is alarming.
Aim: Assessment of knowledge and selected attitudes among Silesians about ultraviolet radiation.
Material and methods: Study involved 169 adult residents of the one Silesian city. The original, anonymous questionnaire containing 25 questions about UVR was used. Respondents (85 females, 84 males) of different age and level of education were examined.
Results: One-third of respondents do not spend time outdoors during sunny weather. The solarium is used by 9% of the studied group. The vitamin D synthesis was a favorable UV effect known by 90% of the respondents. 51% of the group did not know about the UV importance in melanin synthesis. 55% of respondents were not aware of the significance of the SPF (Sun Protective Factor) abbreviation, and 40% of people with the vocational education were convinced that the SPF50+ provides complete sun protection. Only 44% of women and 23% of men differentiated basic skin phototypes. Respondents knew at what time of a day in spring-summer the sun should be avoided, 71% knew about the re-application of a waterproof sunscreens after bath. 64% of women and 37% of men presented the sufficient knowledge of melanoma. Only 38% of respondents paid attention to UV filters when buying sunglasses.
Conclusions: Respondents were aware of the UVR value for the vitamin D synthesis, but only a small percentage declared short-term sun exposures. Women had more knowledge about negative effects of UVR. People over 50 years of age and those with vocational education had a limited knowledge about health effects of UVR.
Keywords: vitamin D; ultraviolet radiation; tanning; photoprotection.