title: Attitudes and Behaviors Related to Sun-Safety in College Students.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the level of sun safe behaviors, as well as to measure knowledge and attitudes toward being tan in a sample of college students. The sample was comprised of 315 college students attending a personal health course. During Fall of 2016, a survey was distributed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of university students regarding skin cancer related behaviors. Students with a friend or family member with skin cancer more often reported thinking that they were at risk for developing skin cancer (48.6 vs. 21.2%, p < 0.001). Despite this opinion, they more often sunbathed (p = 0.008) and had a sunburn (p < 0.001) in the past year. Being in a health-related major did not significantly impact attitudes or behaviors. Future studies can focus further on raising awareness about skin cancer, specifically in college aged populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, William Paterson University, University Hall 366, Wayne, NJ, 07470, USA. baschc@wpunj.edu.
authors.forename: Corey H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Basch
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, William Paterson University, University Hall 366, Wayne, NJ, 07470, USA.
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cadorett
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: MacLean
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
authors.forename: Grace C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Hillyer
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, William Paterson University, University Hall 366, Wayne, NJ, 07470, USA.
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Kernan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000523:psychology*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: Skin cancer; Skin protection; Sun safety