Predictors of sun protection behaviours and sunburn among Australian adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundExcessive sun exposure and sunburn increase individuals’ risk of skin cancer. It is especially important to prevent sunburn in childhood due to the higher relative risk of skin cancer across the life span compared to risk associated with sunburn episodes experienced later in life. This study examined demographic and attitudinal factors associated with engagement in a range of sun protection behaviours (wearing a hat, wearing protective clothing, staying in the shade, and staying indoors during the middle of the day) and the frequency of sunburn among Western Australian adolescents to provide insights of relevance for future sun protection campaigns.MethodsCross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted annually with Western Australians between 2005/06 and 2014/15. The results from 4150 adolescents aged 14–17 years were used to conduct a path analysis of factors predicting various sun protection behaviours and sunburn.ResultsSignificant primary predictors of the sun protection behaviours included in the study were skin type (sun sensitivity), gender, tanning-related attitudes and behaviours, and perceived relevance of public service advertisements that advocate sun protection. Of the four sun protection behaviours investigated, staying in the shade and staying indoors during the middle of the day were associated with a lower frequency of sunburn.ConclusionThere is a particular need to target sun protection messages at adolescent males who are less likely to engage in the most effective sun protection behaviours and demonstrate an increased propensity to experience sunburn. The results suggest that such future sun protection messages should include a focus on the importance of staying in the shade or indoors during periods of high UV radiation to increase awareness of the efficacy of these methods of avoiding skin cancer.

Psychological correlates of adherence to photoprotection in a rare disease: International survey of people with Xeroderma Pigmentosum

“…For patients who are non‐adherent, the design of effective behaviour change interventions is required and needs to be informed by knowledge of psychological factors associated with poor protection. In the general population, photoprotection behaviour has been associated with beliefs about photoprotection [(e.g., personal vulnerability, benefits of protection, barriers (Bränström et al ., ; Pettigrew et al ., )], self‐efficacy (Good & Abraham, ), intention, and automaticity (behaviours that are enacted with little conscious awareness ) (Allom, Mullan, & Sebastian, ). The importance of treatment beliefs, and to a lesser extent illness perceptions, in explaining adherence has been reported across other chronic conditions (e.g., Broadbent, Donkin, & Stroh, ; Horne et al ., ).…”

The Potential of Ultraviolet Radiation Meters in Secondary Schools as a Sun Protection Intervention Mechanism for Adolescents

“…Objective data relating to sun protection behaviours (detailed below) were captured over a period of 20 school days across February/March 2019. In an effort to overcome the noted limitations of previous research that has typically relied on self-reported sun-protection behaviours [13][14][15], behavioural data in the form of shade and hat use (via schoolyard photographs), sunscreen use (via the provision of sunscreen bottles), and UVR exposure (via the application of polysulfone badges) were captured objectively. Both schools had two cameras located within school grounds, one in a sunny position and one in a shaded area.…”

“…It has been noted that a limitation of previous research has been the inability to separate out the effects of the UVI component of interventions testing the effectiveness of other dissemination methods, such as television broadcasts, websites, and apps [35]. Further, the present study combined self-report and observational methods of data collection to overcome the reliance in previous research on self-reported enactment of sun protection behaviours among adolescents [13][14][15].…”

“…While the prevalence of use of sun protection behaviours in adolescence varies across different countries [11][12][13][14], overall enactment levels remain suboptimal [14][15][16]. This is especially the case amongst teenagers, with compliance with sun protection recommendations decreasing during adolescence [15,[17][18][19].…”

Assessment of Biologically Effective Solar Ultraviolet Exposures for Court Staff and Competitors During a Major Australian Tennis Tournament

“…The appearance of the tennis court officials in UVR protective uniforms provides positive sun-safe role models for adults and adolescents alike. Their visual presence provides a latent but persistent advertisement, modeling sun-safe behaviors while engaged in physical activity (3,4,12,20,45,56,60). An analogy is the relatively recent change in the iconic and very visible Australian surf lifesaver uniforms to include broad brim "bucket" hats, long-sleeved shirts and visible sunscreen (45), particularly as they often appear in local advertising campaigns, which is an important aspect of modeling and endorsing sun-safe behaviors (8,12,19,20,45,56,60).…”