Disorders of hyperpigmentation can affect the quality of life and pose a significant psychological burden for patients. However, little is known about sun protective behaviors within patient populations with hyperpigmentation disorders.

This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on sun exposure and protection among patients with cutaneous hyperpigmentation.

This was a single center analytical cross-sectional study which used a self-administered questionnaire on knowledge, attitudes, and practices on sun exposure and protection. Study subjects were 135 patients aged 13-59 years old who sought consult at a tertiary hospital and diagnosed with cutaneous hyperpigmentation. The level of knowledge, type of attitude, and practices on sun exposure and protection were determined. The association between the sociodemographic factors and knowledge, attitudes, and practices was determined using multivariate logistic regression model.

In this study, majority of the patients have adequate knowledge (80%), desirable attitudes (82%), and good practices (79%) towards sun exposure and protection. None of the demographic factors were found to be significantly associated with knowledge. The odds of having a desirable attitude among those in the construction sector was 803 times the odds for those in the transportation sector. Only the attribution of hyperpigmentation to the sun was a factor found to be significantly associated with good practices.

This study recommends that dermatologists caring for patients with cutaneous hyperpigmentation continue to emphasize patient education on sun exposure and protection since adequate knowledge consistently translates to good practices for this group of highly motivated patients.