title: Sun avoidance practices among non-Hispanic white Californians.
abstract: This study measures self-reported sun avoidance practices, use of protective clothing, and use of sunscreen among 4,749 non-Hispanic white adults living in households in California. Data are from the California Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, a population-based telephone survey of health behaviors and attitudes. The average respondent spent at least 15 minutes in the sun on 21.4 days out of the last 30 days. Regular use of protective clothing was reported by 30.7%, regular use of sunscreen by 22.2%, and regular sun avoidance by 17.1% of the respondents. Results varied by month, gender, skin tone, age, education, and presence of children in the household. Health strategies should target younger adults (especially men), households with children and adults with less than a high school education. Because of relatively low rates of sun avoidance behaviors overall, a general population campaign also is warranted.
authors.affiliation: University of California at Davis, USA. holly@ccr.ca.gov
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hoegh
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Manthe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002140:California; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents