title: Summer weekend sun exposure and sunburn among a New Zealand urban population, 1994-2006.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe summer weekend sun exposure and sunburn experience, 1994-2006, among urban New Zealanders (15-69 years) by sex, age group, skin type and outdoor activity type.
  
  
  METHODS
  A series of five telephone surveys undertaken in the summers of 1994, 1997, 1999-2000, 2002-3 and 2005-6 provided a sample of 6,195 respondents with usable data from five major cities (Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin). Respondents were administered a Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) questionnaire which sought sociodemographic information, sun exposure, and sunburn experience during the most recent weekend.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 69% of the sample had spent at least 15 minutes outdoors between 11am and 4pm. Weekend sunburn was reported by 21%, and was more common among males, young adults and those with highly sun-sensitive skin than females, older adults and those with less sensitive skin. The head/face/neck was the body area most frequently and severely sunburned. Sunburn was associated with greater time spent outdoors and occurred most frequently during water-based (29%) and passive recreational activities (25%) and paid work (23%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sun protection strategies could usefully be targeted not only towards at-risk population groups, but also towards those activities and contexts most strongly associated with potentially harmful sun exposure.
authors.forename: Geraldine Geri F H
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: McLeod
authors.forename: Anthony I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Reeder
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McGee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult