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Sun exposure and sun protection behaviours among Australian adolescents: trends over time
journal contribution
posted on 2003-12-01, 00:00 authored by Trish LivingstonTrish Livingston, Vicki WhiteVicki White, J Hayman, S DobbinsonBackground
This study compared the sun exposure and sun protection behaviours of adolescent students between 1993 and 1999.
Methods
Schools from all Australian states and the two territories participated in each of the 1993, 1996, and 1999 surveys and a sample of students from years 7 to 12 were surveyed. In each of the states and territories a random sample of schools was selected within each education sector (government, Catholic, independent). The questionnaire was a self-completed booklet with questions about sunburn history during the previous summer, tan preferences, skin-type, and usual reported behaviour. Data from a total of 78,032 students were available for analysis.
Results
From 1993 to 1999 there was a significant increase in the number of students reporting sunburn during the previous summer (χ2 = 225.77, df = 2, P < 0.01). However, the percentage of students who preferred no tan at all increased over the same period (χ2 = 184.47, df = 2, P < 0.01). The percentage of students who usually or always wore clothing that covered most of their body decreased between 1993 and 1999 (χ2 = 20.46, df = 2, P < 0.01); the percentage of students usually or always wearing maximum protection sunscreen decreased over time (χ2 = 27.71, df = 2, P < 0.01). Staying in the shade increased from 1993 (26%) to 1996 (32%) but decreased slightly in 1999 (30%). Across all survey years, only 11% of students routinely followed all three protective behaviours of wearing a hat, sunscreen, and clothes that cover the body.
Conclusions
Sun protection practices among adolescents are still below optimal levels. Future educational programs require innovative approaches that aims to change attitudes toward tanning as being healthy and attractive and modify adolescent behaviours in relation to sun exposure.
This study compared the sun exposure and sun protection behaviours of adolescent students between 1993 and 1999.
Methods
Schools from all Australian states and the two territories participated in each of the 1993, 1996, and 1999 surveys and a sample of students from years 7 to 12 were surveyed. In each of the states and territories a random sample of schools was selected within each education sector (government, Catholic, independent). The questionnaire was a self-completed booklet with questions about sunburn history during the previous summer, tan preferences, skin-type, and usual reported behaviour. Data from a total of 78,032 students were available for analysis.
Results
From 1993 to 1999 there was a significant increase in the number of students reporting sunburn during the previous summer (χ2 = 225.77, df = 2, P < 0.01). However, the percentage of students who preferred no tan at all increased over the same period (χ2 = 184.47, df = 2, P < 0.01). The percentage of students who usually or always wore clothing that covered most of their body decreased between 1993 and 1999 (χ2 = 20.46, df = 2, P < 0.01); the percentage of students usually or always wearing maximum protection sunscreen decreased over time (χ2 = 27.71, df = 2, P < 0.01). Staying in the shade increased from 1993 (26%) to 1996 (32%) but decreased slightly in 1999 (30%). Across all survey years, only 11% of students routinely followed all three protective behaviours of wearing a hat, sunscreen, and clothes that cover the body.
Conclusions
Sun protection practices among adolescents are still below optimal levels. Future educational programs require innovative approaches that aims to change attitudes toward tanning as being healthy and attractive and modify adolescent behaviours in relation to sun exposure.
History
Journal
Preventive medicineVolume
37Issue
6Pagination
577 - 584Publisher
Academic PressLocation
Orlando, Fla.Publisher DOI
ISSN
0091-7435eISSN
1096-0260Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2003, American Health Foundation and Elsevier Inc.Usage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
attitudesbehavioursadolescentstrends over timeScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicinePublic, Environmental & Occupational HealthMedicine, General & InternalGeneral & Internal MedicineMELANOCYTIC SKIN-CANCERSECONDARY-SCHOOL STUDENTSALCOHOL-USEPRIMARY PREVENTIONCHILDRENTOBACCOSCHOOLCHILDRENPREVALENCEKNOWLEDGE
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