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    Predictors of sun protection behaviours and sunburn among Australian adolescents

    241832_241832.pdf (535.9Kb)
    Access Status
    Open access
    Authors
    Pettigrew, Simone
    Jongenelis, Michelle
    Strickland, M.
    Minto, C.
    Slevin, T.
    Jalleh, Geoffrey
    Lin, C.
    Date
    2016
    Type
    Journal Article
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Pettigrew, S. and Jongenelis, M. and Strickland, M. and Minto, C. and Slevin, T. and Jalleh, G. and Lin, C. 2016. Predictors of sun protection behaviours and sunburn among Australian adolescents. BMC Public Health. 16 (1): pp. 565-565.
    Source Title
    BMC Public Health
    DOI
    10.1186/s12889-016-3197-4
    School
    School of Psychology and Speech Pathology
    Remarks

    This open access article is distributed under the Creative Commons license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/12755
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    BACKGROUND: Excessive 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. METHODS: Cross-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. RESULTS: Significant 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. CONCLUSION: There 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.

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    • Trends in Australian adolescents' sun-protection behaviours: Implications for health campaigns
      Koch, S.; Pettigrew, Simone; Hollier, L.; Slevin, T.; Strickland, M.; Minto, C.; Jalleh, Geoffrey; Lin, C. (2016)
      Objective: Protecting the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation is critical during adolescence to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer later in life, but adolescents tend to be less likely to engage in sun-protective ...
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