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Effect of Sun-Exposure Health Education on Sunburn Prevention Practices among Young Adults in Nigeria

Abstract

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an important public health concern because prolonged or intense exposure to sunlight may result in sunburn and contribute to other adverse skin and eye effects. Young adults in Nigeria may experience substantial sun exposure through outdoor work, transportation, recreational activities, sports, social activities, and daily movement within communities. Despite the health risks associated with excessive UV exposure, some young adults may have limited knowledge of appropriate sun-protection measures and may underestimate the risk of sunburn in tropical environments. Sun-exposure health education provides an opportunity to improve awareness of UV radiation, sunburn risk factors, appropriate protective measures, and healthy behaviours for reducing excessive sun exposure. Against this background, this study investigates the effect of sun-exposure health education on sunburn prevention practices among young adults in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on the Health Belief Model, Protection Motivation Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory. The Health Belief Model explains how young adults' perceptions of susceptibility to sunburn and other UV-related health effects, perceived severity, perceived benefits of sun protection, perceived barriers, and cues to action may influence preventive practices. Protection Motivation Theory emphasizes perceived threat, response efficacy, self-efficacy, and perceived response costs in motivating individuals to adopt protective behaviours against excessive UV exposure. Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes observational learning, self-efficacy, social influence, environmental factors, and reinforcement in developing and maintaining sun-protection practices. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how sun-exposure health education may influence sunburn prevention practices among young adults in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental or analytical cross-sectional research design. The study population will comprise young adults aged 18–35 years residing in selected urban, semi-urban, and rural communities across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select geopolitical zones, states, local government areas, communities, households, universities, workplaces, and eligible young adults. Sun-exposure health education will be assessed using indicators such as exposure to educational sessions, frequency and duration of education, knowledge of UV radiation, sunburn risk factors, peak sun-exposure periods, effects of prolonged sun exposure, appropriate clothing, use of shade, sunscreen use where appropriate, protective eyewear, hydration, timing of outdoor activities, and recognition of sunburn symptoms. Sunburn prevention practices will be assessed using indicators such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, using hats or other protective coverings, appropriate use of sunscreen where available and suitable, wearing protective eyewear, avoiding unnecessary exposure during periods of intense sunlight, planning outdoor activities appropriately, maintaining adequate hydration, recognizing early signs of sunburn, and taking appropriate action following excessive sun exposure. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, standardized sun-protection knowledge and practice assessment tools, sun-exposure diaries where appropriate, and relevant community or university health-promotion records. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participants' characteristics, patterns of sun exposure, sources of sun-health information, exposure to education, and sunburn prevention practices. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square tests, t-tests, correlation analysis, and logistic or multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the effect of sun-exposure health education on sunburn prevention practices. Where a quasi-experimental design is adopted, prevention-practice scores before and after the educational intervention may be compared with those of a comparison group to determine changes associated with the intervention. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that sun-exposure health education has a significant positive effect on sunburn prevention practices among young adults in Nigeria. Young adults exposed to structured and practical sun-exposure education are expected to demonstrate stronger sunburn prevention practices than young adults without comparable exposure. Education may improve understanding of UV radiation, periods of greater sun-exposure risk, and the importance of consistent protective behaviours. Practical education may encourage young adults to seek shade, wear protective clothing and hats, use protective eyewear, apply sunscreen appropriately where suitable, and plan outdoor activities to reduce unnecessary exposure to intense sunlight. Education may also improve recognition of early sunburn symptoms and encourage appropriate responses following excessive exposure. However, hot climatic conditions, occupational and transportation requirements, cultural preferences, cost and availability of sunscreen and protective clothing, misconceptions about sunburn risk among people with darker skin, and limited access to shaded environments may reduce the effectiveness of education alone. The study therefore expects accessible, culturally appropriate, practical, and sustained sun-exposure health education, supported by affordable protective resources and supportive environmental conditions, to contribute significantly to improved sunburn prevention practices among young adults in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on sun exposure, sunburn prevention, ultraviolet radiation, skin health, health education, environmental health, young-adult health, skin cancer prevention, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, universities, workplaces, healthcare professionals, dermatologists, public health practitioners, environmental health officers, youth organizations, community health workers, development partners, and policymakers regarding strategies for promoting healthy sun-protection behaviours. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating sun-exposure education into community and university health programmes, improving public awareness of UV-related health risks, promoting practical sun-protection measures, increasing access to appropriate protective resources, strengthening occupational sun-safety programmes, and developing culturally appropriate health communication strategies for reducing excessive sun exposure and sunburn among young adults across Nigeria.

Keywords: Sun-exposure health education, sunburn prevention practices, ultraviolet radiation, sun protection, young adults, skin health, environmental health, health education, skin cancer prevention, Nigeria, public health.