title: Perceived relevance of educative information on public (skin) health: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Unprotected leisure time exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial tanning beds is the most important environmental risk factor for melanoma, a malignant skin cancer with increasing incidences over the past decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of skin health information provided by several sources and different publishing issues on knowledge, risk perception, and sun protective behavior of sunbathers.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among Austrian residents (n=563) spending leisure time outdoors in August 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Print media, television, and family were perceived as the most relevant sources of information on skin health, whereas the source physician was only ranked as fourth important source. Compared to other sources, information provided by doctors positively influenced participants' knowledge on skin risk and sun protective behavior resulting in higher scores in the knowledge test (p=0.009), higher risk perception (p<0.001), and more sun protection (p<0.001). Regarding gender differences, internet was more often used by males as health information source, whereas females were more familiar with printed information material in general.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this survey put emphasis on the demand for information provided by medical professionals in order to attain effective, long-lasting promotion of photoprotective habits.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. daniela.haluza@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haluza
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cervinka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: Gender; Health education; Melanoma prevention; Public Health; Skin health promotion; Sun protection