OBJECTIVES: Our research aims to assess sunbathing habits, knowledge levels, and attitudes towards sun protection related to skin cancers among adults.

METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was carried out in Hungary between October and November 2023 among people 18 or older selected by simple non-random sampling (n=321). The questionnaire covered sociodemographic characteristics, skin characteristics, and participation in screening examinations. Validated questionnaires included the Sun Exposure and Protection Index (SEPI) and the Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Scale (SCSK). In addition to descriptive statistical analysis, c²-test, ANOVA, independent sample T-test, and Pearson correlation were conducted, using the SPSS 27.0 software (p<0.05).

RESULTS: 86.9% had three or more sunburns in their lifetime, and 50.8% had never visited a dermatologist. 65.1% only sometimes use sunscreen, and 31.8% only use sunscreen with an SPF of over 30. A significantly higher proportion of women (77.3%) regularly used sunscreen compared to men (22.7%) (p=0.028). The average SEPI score is 16.8±4.5. High-risk behaviour (18.2 points) is significantly (p=0.034) more typical among men than among women (15.9 points). Those who stay outside during working time (20.8%) exhibit a significantly (p<0.001) higher-risk behaviour than those who only work indoors (13.4%). The average SCSK score is 12.7±2.7. Women (12.0 points) scored significantly (p=0.005) more points (11.3 points) than men when measuring the level of knowledge. Those who work outside for the entire duration of their working hours (10.9%) have significantly (p<0.001) lower knowledge than those who work most of their working hours indoors (12.9%). Those who never used tanning beds (12.3%) had significantly higher knowledge (p=0.013) than those who used them occasionally (11.9%), monthly (11.3%), weekly (12%), and daily (10.8%).

CONCLUSIONS: Greater emphasis is needed on promoting knowledge about skin cancers, reducing tanning bed usage, and popularizing sun protection measures, especially among those who spend most of their working time outside.