Acculturation and sun-safe behaviors among US Latinos: findings from the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the relationship between acculturation and sun safety among US Latinos.


METHODS
We used linear regression models to analyze data from 496 Latino respondents to the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey. Using sunscreen, seeking shade, and wearing protective clothing were the primary outcomes and were assessed by frequency scales. Acculturation was assessed with a composite index.


RESULTS
In bivariate models, acculturation was negatively associated with use of shade and protective clothing and positively associated with sunscreen use (all, P < .004). In adjusted models, acculturation was negatively associated with seeking shade and wearing protective clothing across gender and region of residence (all, P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results demonstrated both adverse and beneficial effects of acculturation on Latinos' risk behaviors relating to skin cancer. Education about sun safety is needed for all Latinos and should be tailored to different levels of acculturation. Initiatives for Latinos who are not yet acculturated could focus on reinforcing existing sun-safe behaviors and presenting new ones, such as use of sunscreen; initiatives for highly acculturated Latinos might require more resources because the objective is behavior modification.
Andreeva
Valentina A
VA
Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California,Los Angeles, CA, USA. andreeva@usc.edu
Unger
Jennifer B
JB
Yaroch
Amy L
AL
Cockburn
Myles G
MG
Baezconde-Garbanati
Lourdes
L
Reynolds
Kim D
KD
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055107:Suntan; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
D013473:Sunscreening Agents