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Australian adolescents' sun protection behavior : who are we kidding?

journal contribution
posted on 2007-06-01, 00:00 authored by Trish LivingstonTrish Livingston, Vicki WhiteVicki White, J Hayman, S Dobbinson
Purpose
To examine the influence of tan preference and skin type on sun protection behaviors of Australian adolescents.

Methods
The Australian Secondary School Alcohol and Drug Questionnaires were conducted in 1993, 1996, 1999 and 2002 among randomly selected students aged 12–-17. Schools were randomly selected from each education sector in each state. The self-administered questionnaire contained questions about tan preferences, skin type and usual SunSmart behavior (use of sunscreen, hats and covering clothing).

Results
The routine use of SunSmart behavior was low in all survey years. There was a significant decrease over time in the proportion of students who practiced SunSmart behavior, with prevalence rates lower in 2002 than in any other survey year (males: p < 0.01 and females: p < 0.01). As desire for a tan increased, routine practice of SunSmart behaviors decreased. Across the four survey periods, male (p < 0.01) and female (p < 0.01) students who preferred no tan were significantly more likely to practice SunSmart behavior than students who preferred any sort of tan. Across the four survey years, male (p < 0.01) and female (p < 0.01) students with skin that ‘just burns’ were most likely to routinely practice SunSmart behavior.

Conclusions

Sun protection practices among adolescents have continued to decline significantly over time. Future educational programs require an innovative approach to modify adolescent behaviors in relation to sun exposure and sun protection.

History

Journal

Preventive medicine

Volume

44

Issue

6

Pagination

508 - 512

Publisher

Academic Press

Location

San Diego, Calif.

ISSN

0091-7435

eISSN

1096-0260

Language

eng

Notes

Available online 23 February 2007.

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2007, Elsevier