Development of a Survey of Sunscreen Use and Attitudes among Adults in Two Coastal States, 2019

Abstract

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and regular use of broad-spectrum sunscreens can prevent skin cancer. However, a new law in Hawaii that limits sunscreen choices due to the belief that some UV (ultraviolet) filters may damage coral reefs may reduce sunscreen use and increase skin-cancer risk. Because of this, there is a need for measurement tools to help understand consumer behavior and determinants of sunscreen purchase and use. The objectives of this study were (1) to test new questionnaire measures relevant to the Hawaii Sunscreen Ban; and (2) to assess adults’ knowledge, attitudes, and habits related to sunscreen in two other coastal states. This survey of adult residents of California and Florida was conducted in the summer of 2019. Newly developed scales addressed beliefs about effects of sunscreens on aquatic/marine environments and awareness of the Hawaii sunscreen ban. Respondents completed the survey twice to evaluate the test–retest reliability. Respondents (n = 162) were mainly female, White, and college-educated. New scales had moderate-to-high internal consistency and high test–retest reliability. Sunscreen use was high, sunburn was common, and knowledge and attitudes about sunscreen were modest. Most respondents did not know the specifics of the Hawaii Sunscreen Ban. In multivariate models, significant predictors of sunscreen use were being older, female, and having higher sunscreen knowledge. Sunscreen beliefs were not significantly associated with sunscreen use or sunburn. The findings support the use of the newly developed survey and suggest that more education about sunscreen and sunscreen ingredients is needed.

Evaluation of social knowledge on photoprotection and its relationship with education and age in a Polish seaside town during summer holidays

“…and also 23.9% of respondents in the United Arab Emirates 20 . In US studies from 2019 21 and 2015, 22 respectively, 51.9% and 49.1% of respondents considered high protection (SPF) 50+ as a key feature in choosing a sunscreen 21 . Among Polish students surveyed in 2021, 6.1% of respondents used sunscreens with SPF >50 13 …”

“…20 In US studies from 2019 21 and 2015, 22 respectively, 51.9% and 49.1% of respondents considered high protection (SPF) 50+ as a key feature in choosing a sunscreen. 21 Among Polish students surveyed in 2021, 6.1% of respondents used sunscreens with SPF >50. 13 An essential aspect of protection against UV radiation is also the regular reapplication of photoprotective cosmetics.…”

Knowledge of Sunscreen Usage and Skin Cancer Among Malaysian Medical Students – A cross sectional study

“…Data for this research was collected via an online questionnaire that was distributed among the respondents through social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Instagram. The questionnaire was prepared based on the previous studies (Awadh et al, 2016; Glanz et al, 2022; Memon et al, 2019; Sander et al, 2020) and content validated by using the ratings of six experts. The questionnaire included five sections which consisted of the demographics, practices of sunscreen utilization, knowledge about sunscreen, attitudes toward sunscreen and knowledge about skin cancer.…”

Behaviorally segmented audiences for managing sunscreen chemical pollution risk in protected coastal natural resource areas

“…A 2020 online study of Florida, North Carolina, and Hawaii residents found that state of residence and the location of coastal parks where the behavior was to occur related to pro-environmental sun protection preferences (Akerlof, 2023). Issue awareness of chemical sunscreen pollution and related policies has been found to be relatively low outside of regions with bans (Glanz et al, 2022;Levine, 2019), and indeed, the Hawaii ban had only been implemented approximately 6 months before the fielding of the study (Gabbard & Kim, 2018). With pro-environmental sun protection behaviors likely in the early stages of change (precontemplation/contemplation) for many, we hypothesized that the best indicators of present and future actions to reduce sun exposure were likely to be found in the past: (1) habit, that is, what people report that they typically choose as sun protection in coastal and shoreline areas, including pro-environmental measures (Allom et al, 2013); and (2) the extent to which habits are engrained and where they have been formed, that is, residents versus tourists and frequency of visits.…”