Abstract: Background: Decreasing the time of exposure to the sun and increasing sunscreen use are important actions to prevent skin cancer. Objective: This study aimed to verify the prevalence of exposure to the sun and the use of sunscreen, as well as associated factors among physical education teachers of the basic education network from city of Pelotas, southern Brazil. Methods: A census type study was conducted with physical education teachers of the basic education network from Pelotas. This study assessed the time of exposure to the sun in the workplace for at least 20 min, between 10am and 4pm, and the use of sunscreen during the workday. Results: 188 teachers answered the questionnaire. The prevalence of exposure to the sun between 10:00am and 4:00pm was 89.2% (95% CI of 83.8% -93.3%), while sunscreen use was 63.3% (95% CI of 56.0% -70.2%). However, when the sample was stratified by sex, women reported a higher rate of sunscreen use (78.5% -95% CI of 72.2-84.3) than men (38.9% -95% CI of 31.8-46.2) (p<0.001). Teachers with longer work weeks were at greater risk of exposure to the sun. In addition, women, with normal weight and who worked less hours, were more likely to use sunscreen. Study limitations: Cross-sectional study and lack of information on the proper use and frequency of use of sunscreen. Conclusion: Physical education teachers were highly exposed to solar radiation, and less than two-thirds used sunscreen during the workday. Interventions with this professional group are necessary to reduce the risk of skin cancer.

A melhora da qualidade de vida de uma população pode estar relacionada com o aumento do conhecimento sobre os fatores de risco que conduzem a doenças crônicas. Desta forma o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o conhecimento dos professores de Educação Física sobre as associações entre quatro fatores comportamentais (sedentarismo, tabagismo, consumo excessivo de álcool e alimentação inadequada) e oito morbidades (diabetes, hipertensão arterial, AIDS, osteoporose, câncer de pulmão, depressão, cirrose hepática e infarto agudo do miocárdio). Foi realizado um estudo observacional, de caráter transversal e cunho censitário, incluindo 188 professores de ambos os sexos, das redes de ensino básico pública e privada da cidade de Pelotas/RS. Para cada fator comportamental, foi gerado um escore de conhecimento, que variava de zero a oito pontos. A maior média deste escore ocorreu para o conhecimento sobre sedentarismo (6,4), seguido por alimentação inadequada (5,9), tabagismo (5,3) e consumo excessivo de álcool (4,5). Podemos concluir que os maiores escores de conhecimento estiveram relacionados com faixas etárias mais baixas, com o local e a jornada de trabalho. Políticas públicas voltadas à saúde e educação são indispensáveis e urgentes para requalificar os docentes e prepará-los para a tarefa de ensinar.

The improvement in population quality of life may be associated to the increase in the awareness about chronic diseases risk factors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate physical education teachers' knowledge about the associations between four behavioral factors (sedentary lifestyle, smoking, abusive alcohol intake, and inadequate eating) and eight diseases (diabetes, hypertension, AIDS, osteoporosis, lung cancer, depression, liver cirrhosis and acute myocardial infarction). A census-based cross-sectional study was carried out including 188 teachers (men and women) from public and private schools from Pelotas/RS. For each behavioral factor, a knowledge score was generated, ranging from zero to eight points. The highest score was observed for sedentary lifestyle (6.4), followed by inadequate eating (5.9), smoking (5.3), and abusive alcohol intake (4.5). Overall, higher knowledge scores were observed among teachers from lower age groups, and workplace and working hours were also associated to the outcome. Governmental strategies in health and education are needed to improve teacher's knowledge enabling professionals to perform their jobs satisfactory.