Sun-Smart or Sun-Sorry? Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Photoprotection among Medical Students: A Comparative Study Across Professional Years

Background: Medical students, as future healthcare providers, play a key role in promoting photoprotection and skin cancer prevention. However, gaps in their own knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sun protection may limit their effectiveness in patient education. This study aimed to assess and compare these domains across different professional years. Objective: To evaluate and compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding photoprotection among medical students in the preclinical, paraclinical, and clinical years. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 404 undergraduate medical students at a tertiary-care medical college using a validated, self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge (15 items), attitudes (10 items; 5-point Likert scale), and practices (12 items) were assessed. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression were used for analysis. Results: The mean knowledge score was 9.8 ± 3.2 out of 15 (65.3%), with only 42.6% achieving adequate knowledge (≥70%). Knowledge scores increased significantly across professional years (preclinical: 8.1, paraclinical: 9.7, clinical: 11.4; P < 0.001). Attitudes were generally positive (mean 3.6/5), but only 58.4% had strongly positive attitudes. Consistent sunscreen use was reported by 31.7% of users, correct application by 42.8% of users, and regular skin self-examination by 19.8% of users. Clinical-year students showed the highest rates of appropriate practices ( P < 0.001). Higher knowledge was associated with better attitudes [odds ratio (OR): 2.8] and practices (OR: 3.4) (both P < 0.001). Female students had significantly higher knowledge scores and sunscreen use than male students ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: While photoprotection knowledge, attitudes, and practices improve with advancing professional years, substantial gaps remain among medical students. Targeted educational interventions are needed early in medical training to enhance sun-safety awareness and behavior.