Influence of demographic and clinical characteristics of actinic keratosis patients on illness perceptions and readiness to increase sun protection behaviours: an exploratory study

Abstract

Background/purpose: There are no data comprehensively investigating the key beliefs and sun protection behaviours in patients with actinic keratosis (AK). Our aim was to determine and correlate the AK perceptions and readiness to increase sun protection (RISP) behaviours.

Methods: AK patients' (n = 200) demographics and clinical findings were recorded. Participants completed questionnaires (Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised and RISP behaviours scales).

Results: The mean scores of giving up sunbathing of the patients aged <65 years, and giving up sunbathing and staying in the shade behaviours of females were higher. As the level of education increased, while the mean scores of giving up sunbathing decreased, using sunscreen scores increased. The mean scores of giving up sunbathing, using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing of those with the history of non-skin cancer (had cancer other than of the skin) were lower. The readiness to increase using sunscreen was found to be higher in patients with more chronic timeline beliefs, more positive perceived personal control and blaming sunlight more, and the wearing protective clothing was found to be higher in those with more cyclical timeline beliefs.

Conclusion: AK patients, especially the subjects aged ≥65 years, have non-skin cancer history, and male gender should be informed to apply sun-protective behaviours.

Keywords: actinic keratosis; illness perception; sun protection.