Sun-safety behaviors of skiers and snowboarders on the South Island of New Zealand.
OBJECTIVE
To study sun-protective behaviors among skiers and snowboarders on the South Island of New Zealand and to identify associations with personal characteristics or weather conditions.


METHODS
Two hundred twenty-six skiers and snowboarders completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire during September and October 2002. Reported behaviors were used to derive a composite sun-protection index, which was used to divide the sample into "protected" and "unprotected" groups. Odds ratios of being unprotected were calculated by logistic regression.


RESULTS
Forty-eight percent (95% CI 42-54%) of interviewees recalled being sunburned while skiing or snowboarding in the past. Sixty-eight percent (95% CI 62-74%) were unaware of any educational messages specific to sun protection while skiing or snowboarding. Women were more likely to be protected from the sun (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.27-0.81). Having a skin type resistant to burning (OR 1.93; 95% CI 0.92-4.06) and reported awareness of education messages (OR 1.66; 95% CI 0.92-2.99) were associated with not using sun protection.


CONCLUSIONS
Sunburn is common and sun protection not used by all. Men are less likely to report use of sun-protection measures. There is no evidence from this study that current strategies are effective in promoting skin protection while skiing or snowboarding.
Price
Jonathan
J
Department of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, UK.
Ness
Andy
A
Leary
Sam
S
Kennedy
Cameron
C
D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D012865:Skiing; D038161:Snow Sports; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014887:Weather
D013473:Sunscreening Agents