Attitudes, Behaviors and Beliefs of Urban Adult Filipinos on Sunlight Exposure: A Qualitative Study

Authors

  • Marc Gregory Yu Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine Philippine General Hospital http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0376-9574
  • Nina Castillo-Carandang Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines; and Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5360-1801
  • Maria Elinor Grace Sison Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital http://orcid,org/0000-0002-1222-8817
  • Angelique Bea Uy Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9539-8239
  • Katrina Lenora Villarante Department of Family and Community Medicine, Philippine General Hospital http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8691-2403
  • Maria Patricia Deanna Maningat Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1984-9277
  • Elizabeth Paz-Pacheco Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital
  • Eileen Abesamis-Cubillan Section of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Philippine General Hospital http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5417-8013

Keywords:

sunlight exposure, adult Filipinos, urban health, community health, qualitative research

Abstract

*Visual Abstracts prepared by Dr. Jerico Gutierrez

Objective. To explore the attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs of urban adult Filipinos on sunlight exposure as an initial step in the development and validation of a culturally-appropriate questionnaire.

Methodology. Focus groups were conducted among urban Filipinos 19 years old and above (n=38). The transcribed results underwent qualitative content and thematic analyses and were used to develop a conceptual framework.

Results. Qualitative analysis revealed four main themes of sunlight exposure: internal influences, external influences, perceived benefits, and perceived risks. Both internal and external influences lead to perceived risks and benefits. Consequently, the perceived benefits (or lack) of sunlight exposure influence an individual’s attitude towards vitamin D supplementation; whereas the perceived risks of sunlight exposure influence an individual’s attitude towards the need for sun protection.

Conclusion. The attitudes, behaviors and beliefs of urban adult Filipinos on sunlight exposure are influenced by both internal and external factors, that in turn lead to perceived risks and benefits. An increased awareness of these factors is necessary to establish future recommendations on proper sunlight exposure in this population. The study results will be used to develop and validate a culturally-appropriate sunlight exposure questionnaire.

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Published

2018-05-21

How to Cite

Yu, M. G., Castillo-Carandang, N., Sison, M. E. G., Uy, A. B., Villarante, K. L., Maningat, M. P. D., Paz-Pacheco, E., & Abesamis-Cubillan, E. (2018). Attitudes, Behaviors and Beliefs of Urban Adult Filipinos on Sunlight Exposure: A Qualitative Study. Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies, 33(1), 37. Retrieved from https://asean-endocrinejournal.org/index.php/JAFES/article/view/460

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