title: Factors associated with photoprotection by body clothing coverage, particularly in non-summer months, among a New Zealand community sample.
abstract: Clothing coverage is important for reducing skin cancer risk, but may also influence vitamin D sufficiency, so associated plausible predictors require investigation. Volunteers (18 to 85 years), with approximately equal numbers by sex and four ethnicity groups, were recruited in cities from two latitude bands: Auckland (36.9°S) and Dunedin (45.9°S). Baseline questionnaire, anthropometric and spectrophotometer skin colour data were collected and weather data obtained. Percent body coverage was calculated from eight week diary records. Potential independent predictors (unadjusted p < 0.25) were included in adjusted models. Participants (n = 506: Auckland n = 334, Dunedin n = 172; mean age 48.4 years) were 62.7% female and had a median body clothing coverage of 81.6% (IQR 9.3%). Dunedin was cooler, less windy and had lower UVI levels than Auckland. From the fully adjusted model, increased coverage occurred in non-summer months (despite adjusting for weather), among Dunedin residents and Asians (compared to Europeans), during the middle of the day, with a dose response effect observed for greater age. Reduced coverage was associated with Pacific ethnicity and greater time spent outdoors. Additionally, higher temperatures were associated with reduced coverage, whereas increased cloud cover and wind speed were associated with increased coverage. Although the only potentially modifiable factors associated with clothing coverage were the time period and time spent outdoors, knowledge of these and other associated factors is useful for the framing and targeting of health promotion messages to potentially influence clothing coverage, facilitate erythema avoidance and maintain vitamin D sufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Society of New Zealand Social & Behavioural Research Unit, Department of Preventive & Social Medicine, University of Otago Medical School, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. tony.reeder@otago.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Anthony I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Reeder
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: J Ben
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Liley
authors.forename: Robert K R
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Scragg
authors.forename: Richard L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: Alistair W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003020:Clothing; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012621:Seasons; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013696:Temperature; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D