Sun Safety on Campus: What Saudi Students Know and Do

You might think that with the sun beating down almost every day, college students in Saudi Arabia would be extra careful. But a recent study found that not everyone is as sun-smart as they should be. The sun can do some serious damage, like causing sunburn, making your skin age faster, and even leading to skin cancer. This study wanted to find out how much students know about these risks and how they protect themselves. Spending too much time in the sun without protection can be really harmful. But do students in Saudi Arabia understand this? The study found that while many knew about the dangers, not all of them were taking the right steps. Sunscreen is a big part of staying safe, but not everyone was using it as much as they should. It's not just about knowing the risks; it's also about acting on that knowledge. The study showed that there's a gap between what students know and what they do. Some students might think they're safe because they wear hats or stay in the shade, but that's not enough. Sunscreen is a must, and it's important to use it regularly and correctly. There are lots of reasons why students might not be using sunscreen enough. Maybe they don't like how it feels, or they forget, or they just don't think they need it. But the truth is, everyone needs to protect their skin from the sun. It's not just about looking good; it's about staying healthy. The study also found that some students thought their skin was dark enough to protect them from the sun. But that's a myth. No matter what your skin color, you can still get damaged by the sun. Everyone needs to take steps to stay safe. So, what can be done? Schools could do more to educate students about the importance of sun safety. And maybe make it easier for students to get their hands on sunscreen. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry, right?