62. Knowledge on the health effects of ultraviolet radiation among students in two junior High Schools in Hanoi in 2024
Main Article Content
Abstract
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 432 students from two junior high schools, Can Kiem Junior High School (Can Kiem Commune) and Tam Khuong Junior High School (Khuong Dinh Ward), Hanoi City, in 2024. The study utilized a self-designed questionnaire for direct interviews with students to assess their knowledge about the health impacts of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The research results showed that 52.1% of students knew that UV rays help create vitamin D, and 81.9% knew that UV rays cause sunburn and skin darkening, while 66% were aware that they cause skin cancer. Eighth-grade students, female students, and those with excellent or good academic performance were more likely to have adequate knowledge of the health effects of UV radiation compared to other students. These findings provide an important basis for proposing health education programs and other effective intervention solutions, helping students form and implement health-protective behaviors, and actively prevent the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Article Details
Keywords
Ultraviolet radiation, knowledge, junior high school students, health impact
References
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21. De Castro Maqueda G, Gutiérrez-Manzanedo JV, González-Montesinos JL, Vaz Pardal C, Rivas Ruiz F, de Troya Martín M. Sun Exposure and Photoprotection: Habits, Knowledge and Attitudes Among Elite Kitesurfers. J Canc Educ. 2022; 37(3): 517-523. doi:10.1007/s13187-020-01838-7.
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23. Ezem UG, Otrofanowei E. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of sunscreen use among undergraduate medical students in the College of Medicine, University of Lagos: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical Sciences. 2024; 21(1): 26. doi:10.4103/jcls.jcls_103_23.
24. Trường THCS Tam Khương. Lịch sử truyền thống nhà trường. Accessed February 23, 2025. http://truongthcstamkhuong.edu.vn/gioi-thieu/gioi-thieu-ve-truong/tam-khuong-yeu-dau.html.
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26. Skonieczna J, Olejniczak D, Zakrzewska K, et al. Assessment of knowledge about the effects of UV radiation on health behaviors associated with sunbathing in gymnasium students. Przegl Epidemiol. 2016; 70(1): 65-70, 141-145.
27. Janjani H, Nedjat S, MasoudYunesian null, Nasseri S, Haghighat Doost F, Nabizadeh R. Sun exposure and health safety practices of high school students in an urban population of Iran. BMC Public Health. 2019; 19(1): 1736. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-8100-7.
2. World Health Organization. Raising awareness on ultraviolet radiation. Accessed May 10, 2025. https://www.who.int/activities/raising-awareness-on-ultraviolet-radiation.
3. The Skin Cancer Foundation. UV Radiation & Your Skin. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://www.skincancer.org/vi/risk-factors/uv-radiation/.
4. SunSmart Global UV App launches with new features to enhance sun protection. Accessed July 29, 2025. https://www.who.int/news/item/16-07-2024-sunsmart-global-uv-app-launches-with-new-features-to-enhance-sun-protection.
5. World Health Organization. Ultraviolet radiation. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ultraviolet-radiation.
6. United States: National Archives and Records Administration: Office of the Federal Register. Federal Register. Vol. 71, no. 143. Published online July 26, 2006:42241-42565. Accessed May 10, 2025. https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/FR-2006-07-26.
7. World Health Organization. Radiation: Protecting against skin cancer. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/radiation-protecting-against-skin-cancer.
8. Strome A, Herbert K, Walsh K, Lamberg O, Waselewski ME, Chang T. Assessment of Sun Protection Knowledge and Behaviors of US Youth. JAMA Netw Open. 2021; 4(11): e2134550. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.34550.
9. Zafar M, Zaidi TH, Zaidi NH, et al. Students’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Solar Ultraviolet Exposure in Karachi, Pakistan. Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences. 2024; 34(2). doi:10.4314/ejhs.v34i2.3.
10. Gao Q, Liu G, Liu Y. Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding solar ultraviolet exposure among medical university students in Northeast China. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2014; 140:14-19. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.07.002.
11. Lê Tuấn Khanh, Văn Thế Trung. Kiến thức, thái độ, hành vi tiếp xúc ánh nắng và tình trạng sử dụng kem chống nắng của sinh viên, học viên ngành Y, Trường Đại học Y Dược Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. Journal of 108 - Clinical Medicine and Phamarcy. 2022; Tập 17 - Số 3/2022, 54-59. doi:10.52389/ydls.v17i3.1184.
12. Pakrou N, Casson R, Fung S, Ferdowsi N, Lee G, Selva D. South Australian adolescent ophthalmic sun protective behaviours. Eye. 2008; 22(6): 808-814. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6702619.
13. Julian A, Thorburn S, Geldhof GJ. Health Beliefs About UV and Skin Cancer Risk Behaviors. Cancer Control. 2020; 27(4):1073274819894008. doi:10.1177/1073274819894008.
14. J K Robinson, D S Rigel, R A Amonette. Trends in sun exposure knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors: 1986 to 1996. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1997; 37(2 Pt 1): 179-86. doi: 10.1016/s0190-9622(97)80122-3.
15. Hogan V, Hogan M, Kirwan O, et al. Sun-related knowledge and practices in Irish construction and agricultural workers. Occupational Medicine. 2024; 74(5): 378-385. doi:10.1093/occmed/kqae042.
16. Görig T, Schneider S, Seuffert S, Greinert R, Diehl K. Does sunscreen use comply with official recommendations? Results of a nationwide survey in Germany. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2020; 34(5): 1112-1117. doi:10.1111/jdv.16100.
17. J.J. Durán-Ávila, T. Montero-Vilchez, C. Durán-Ávila, S. Arias-Santiago, A. Buendía-Eisman. Photoprotection Knowledge, Habits, and Attitudes Among Spanish and Italian Medical Students Actas Dermosifiliogr. 2025; 116(3): T291-T300. doi: 10.1016/j.ad.2024.12.002. Epub 2024 Dec 24.
18. Andreola GM, Carvalho VO de, Huczok J, Cat MNL, Abagge KT. Photoprotection in adolescents: what they know and how they behave. An Bras Dermatol. 2018; 93: 39-44. doi:https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20185489.
19. Thomas-Gavelan E, Sáenz-Anduaga E, Ramos W, Sánchez-Saldaña L, Sialer M del C. Knowledge, attitudes and practices about sun exposure and photoprotection in outpatients attending dermatology clinics at four hospitals in Lima, Peru. An Bras Dermatol. 2011; 86: 1122-1128. doi:https://doi.org/10.1590/S0365-05962011000600009.
20. Spradlin K, Bass M, Hyman W, Keathley R. Skin cancer: knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes of college students. South Med J. 2010; 103(10): 999-1003. doi:10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181eda64f.
21. De Castro Maqueda G, Gutiérrez-Manzanedo JV, González-Montesinos JL, Vaz Pardal C, Rivas Ruiz F, de Troya Martín M. Sun Exposure and Photoprotection: Habits, Knowledge and Attitudes Among Elite Kitesurfers. J Canc Educ. 2022; 37(3): 517-523. doi:10.1007/s13187-020-01838-7.
22. Agarwal SB, Godse K, Patil S, Nadkarni N. Knowledge and Attitude of General Population toward Effects of Sun Exposure and Use of Sunscreens. Indian J Dermatol. 2018; 63(4): 285-291. doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_609_17.
23. Ezem UG, Otrofanowei E. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of sunscreen use among undergraduate medical students in the College of Medicine, University of Lagos: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical Sciences. 2024; 21(1): 26. doi:10.4103/jcls.jcls_103_23.
24. Trường THCS Tam Khương. Lịch sử truyền thống nhà trường. Accessed February 23, 2025. http://truongthcstamkhuong.edu.vn/gioi-thieu/gioi-thieu-ve-truong/tam-khuong-yeu-dau.html.
25. Trường học Hạnh phúc. Trường THCS Cần Kiệm. Trẻ em Việt Nam. Accessed February 23, 2025. https://treemvietnam.net.vn/truong-hoc-hanh-phuc/truong-thcs-can-kiem-589.html.
26. Skonieczna J, Olejniczak D, Zakrzewska K, et al. Assessment of knowledge about the effects of UV radiation on health behaviors associated with sunbathing in gymnasium students. Przegl Epidemiol. 2016; 70(1): 65-70, 141-145.
27. Janjani H, Nedjat S, MasoudYunesian null, Nasseri S, Haghighat Doost F, Nabizadeh R. Sun exposure and health safety practices of high school students in an urban population of Iran. BMC Public Health. 2019; 19(1): 1736. doi:10.1186/s12889-019-8100-7.