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Changes in sun-related attitudes and behaviours, and reduced sunburn prevalence in a population at high risk of melanoma

journal contribution
posted on 1993-11-01, 00:00 authored by D Hill, Vicki WhiteVicki White, R Marks, R Borland
This study aimed to determine trends in exposure to sunlight in the context of a melanoma prevention programme by monitoring the prevalence of sunburn and sun-related attitudes and behaviours. Telephone interviews were conducted in a baseline summer (December 1987 to February 1988) and two subsequent summers after the introduction of the SunSmart health promotion campaign. Interviewing a sample of 4,428 adult residents of the Australian city of Melbourne took place throughout summer on Monday evenings. Behavioural and sunburn data were reported for the previous weekend and relevant attitudinal data were collected. After adjusting for ambient ultraviolet radiation levels and temperature, survey month, age, sex and skin type, a significant reduction in sunburn was found. The crude proportion of sunburnt dropped from 11% to 10% to 7% over 3 years and the adjusted odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) were as follows: Year 1/Year 2; 0.75 (CI 0.57-0.99) and Year 1/Year 3; 0.59 (CI 0.43-0.81). Substantial attitudinal shifts occurred over the 3 years. Hat wearing increased significantly each year (19%, 26%, 29%), as did sunscreen use (12%, 18%, 21%). However, the trends in mean proportion of body surface area covered by clothing were less clear cut (0.67, 0.64, 0.71). It is concluded that melanoma risk factor exposure of populations can change fairly rapidly and that well-conducted health promotion campaigns can play a part in producing such change.

History

Journal

European journal of cancer prevention

Volume

2

Issue

6

Pagination

447 - 456

Publisher

Wolters Kluwer

Location

Philadelphia, Pa.

ISSN

0959-8278

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

1993, Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.