[The habits and perceptions of participants in water and other outdoor activities in terms of risk behaviors].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to explore the habits and perceptions of participants in water and other outdoor activities in terms of health risk behaviours.


METHODS
A survey was undertaken of 1,200 users of a river in the Greater Montreal area.


RESULTS
Only about 30% of respondents used some form of protection against the sun during every outing. Fewer respondents who used some form of motorized water craft wore personal flotation devices (PFDs) compared with those who used non-motorized water craft (63% vs. 83%). Almost half of the respondents avoided all contact with water unfit for swimming, and this was the only instance of behaviour influenced by a perception of serious health risks. The data also indicate that men and respondents under 25 years of age are not inclined to practise the safe behaviours studied.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that effective interventions must be developed for the population in general and for certain sub-groups in particular in order to promote the adoption of safe behaviours during water and other outdoor activities.
Nguyen
Minh Nguyer
MN
Département de médecine sociale et préventive, Faculté de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec. nguyet_nguyen@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Poupart
Gilles
G
Normandeau
Jacques
J
Laplante
Lise
L
Damestoy
Nicole
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011792:Quebec; D011998:Recreation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013550:Swimming
D013473:Sunscreening Agents
Comportements et croyances des amateurs d'activités nautiques et de plein air. Etude sur les comportements et les perceptions des risques à la santé.