Predictors of sun protection behaviors and severe sunburn in an international online study.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of melanoma continues to increase in many countries, and primary prevention of melanoma includes avoidance of sunburn as well as adequate sun protection behavior. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of self-reported sun protection behaviors and sunburn in users of the Internet, and to identify the demographic, clinical, and attitudinal/motivational correlates of sun protection behaviors.


METHODS
Self-report data were gathered on behalf of the GenoMEL consortium using an online survey available in 10 different languages, and 8,178 individuals successfully completed at least 80% of survey items, with 73% of respondents from Europe, 12% from Australia, 7% from the United States, 2% from Israel, and 6% from other countries.


RESULTS
Half of all respondents and 27% of those with a previous melanoma reported at least one severe sunburn during the previous 12 months. The strongest factors associated with sun protection behavior were perceived barriers to protection (beta = -0.44/beta = -0.37), and respondents who reported a positive attitude toward suntans were less likely to protect (beta = -0.16/beta = -0.14). Reported use of protective clothing and shade, as well as avoidance of midday sun exposure, were more strongly related to reduced risk of sunburn than sunscreen use.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite widespread dissemination of public health messages about the importance of sun protection, a substantial proportion of this international sample, including respondents with a previous melanoma, reported inadequate sun protection behaviors resulting in severe sunburn.


CONCLUSIONS
Future strategies to decrease sunburn should target the practical, social, and psychological barriers associated with nonuptake of sun protection.
Bränström
Richard
R
Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. richard.branstrom@ki.se
Kasparian
Nadine A
NA
Chang
Yu-mei
YM
Affleck
Paul
P
Tibben
Aad
A
Aspinwall
Lisa G
LG
Azizi
Esther
E
Baron-Epel
Orna
O
Battistuzzi
Linda
L
Bergman
Wilma
W
Bruno
William
W
Chan
May
M
Cuellar
Francisco
F
Debniak
Tadeusz
T
Pjanova
Dace
D
Ertmanski
Slawomir
S
Figl
Adina
A
Gonzalez
Melinda
M
Hayward
Nicholas K
NK
Hocevar
Marko
M
Kanetsky
Peter A
PA
Leachman
Sancy A
SA
Heisele
Olita
O
Palmer
Jane
J
Peric
Barbara
B
Puig
Susana
S
Schadendorf
Dirk
D
Gruis
Nelleke A
NA
Newton-Bishop
Julia
J
Brandberg
Yvonne
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D013473:Sunscreening Agents