Fenti Dewi Pertiwi, Evy Damayanthi, Rimbawan Rimbawan

Sun Exposure on the Incidence of Allergies in Adult Women

Introduction

Sun exposure on the incidence of allergies in adult women. Explore the link between sun exposure, vitamin D, and allergies in adult women. Research shows sunbathing 2x/week reduces allergies; never sunbathing or sunscreen use increases risk.

Abstract

Exposure to UVB rays in humans largely affects vitamin D synthesis, and approximately 90%–95% of vitamin D is produced in the skin. Allergic diseases have a significant impact on the health of the affected individuals. This study aimed to determine the relationship between sun exposure and the incidence of allergies in adult women. This research used a quantitative cross-sectional design. This research was conducted in Bogor from August to November 2023. The population investigated consisted of the entire adult female population living in the city of Bogor. This study used simple random sampling to select representative respondents. The data were collected using a questionnaire. The study sample comprised of 395 people. The inclusion criteria were women aged between 19 and 49 years who permanently resided in Bogor City. The exclusion criteria are women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, experiencing menopause, using hormonal contraception, and diagnosed with diabetes or other infectious or non-communicable diseases. Bivariate data was analyzed using the chi-square test to determine the relationship between sun exposure and the incidence of allergies in women in Bogor City. Processed shellfish foods and products are a common cause of allergies in women in Bogor. The frequency of sunbathing and the use of sunscreen have a significant effect on allergies. Sunbathing 2 times/week reduces allergies, whereas never sunbathing causes allergies. Sunscreen use increases allergies, and more research is needed to develop effective prevention strategies.

Review

This study investigates the pertinent relationship between sun exposure and the incidence of allergies in adult women, a topic with significant public health implications given the widespread prevalence of both allergic diseases and varying sun exposure habits. Utilizing a quantitative cross-sectional design with a substantial sample of 395 adult women in Bogor, the research aimed to explore this connection. The study's focus on a specific demographic and geographic location, coupled with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria, provides a defined scope. The findings suggest an interesting association, where sunbathing 2 times per week may reduce allergies, while never sunbathing appears to increase them, alongside a surprising observation that sunscreen use correlates with increased allergies. The large sample size is a notable strength, enhancing the statistical power of the bivariate analyses performed using the chi-square test. However, the abstract's use of terms like "incidence" in the title and "reduces" or "causes" in the findings is problematic for a cross-sectional design, which can only establish associations, not causality. A cross-sectional study measures prevalence at a single point in time, making it unsuitable for determining incidence. Furthermore, the definition and diagnosis of "allergies" are unclear; if self-reported via questionnaire, this introduces significant potential for recall bias and misclassification. The inclusion of a finding regarding "processed shellfish foods" as a common cause of allergies seems somewhat tangential to the primary aim of examining sun exposure. While the reported associations, particularly concerning sunscreen use, are intriguing, they warrant cautious interpretation. The finding that "sunscreen use increases allergies" could be confounded; individuals who use more sunscreen might also be those who spend more time in intense sun, or who are already more prone to skin sensitivities or allergic reactions, rather than sunscreen being a direct cause of allergies. Future research should consider controlling for a wider range of potential confounders (e.g., diet, existing health conditions, genetic predispositions, specific types of sun exposure, vitamin D levels) to provide a clearer understanding of the observed relationships. Employing longitudinal designs would be crucial to establish temporality and better infer causality, and more detailed objective measures of allergy status, sun exposure, and vitamin D levels would strengthen the evidence base for these preliminary findings.

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