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Ultraviolet Radiation and Safety Behaviours at an Outdoor Community Event

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Abstract

The incidence of skin cancer is rising drastically and is believed to be at epidemic proportions. Although preventive efforts have focused mainly on increasing public knowledge of the dangers associated with ultraviolet radiation, increased knowledge does not consistently translate into safe sun practices. The present study provided a “snapshot” of knowledge, attitudes and actual behaviour related to sun safety in a sample of 2,064 individuals attending a major community event. Despite almost uniform acknowledgement of a sun-cancer link, and the belief that certain behaviours can reduce the chances of getting skin cancer, only 38% of respondents reported wearing sun screen. Differences in sun safe behaviours were observed across age groups. The present results emphasize the need to target behaviours as well as knowledge and attitudes regarding sun safety.

Résumé

L’incidence du cancer de la peau augmente rapidement et on pense que ce problème a atteint des proportions épidémiques. Bien que les efforts de prévention soient centrés principalement sur la sensibilisation du public aux dangers associés aux radiations ultra-violettes, de meilleures connaissances ne sont pas forcément reliées à des pratiques plus sécuritaires en matière d’exposition au soleil. Cette étude présente un tableau pris sur le vif des connaissances, des attitudes et du comportement des gens dans ce domaine, à l’aide d’un échantillon de 2 064 personnes participant à un événement communautaire majeur. Bien que la plupart des gens soient conscients du lien entre le soleil et le cancer, et savent que certains comportements peuvent réduire les risques de contracter un cancer de la peau, seulement 38 % des répondants ont signalé qu’ ils avaient appliqué un filtre solaire. Des différences sur le plan du comportement face au soleil sont notées selon le groupe d’âge. Ces résultats soulignent le besoin de viser certains comportements aussi bien que certaines connaissances et attitudes en matière d’exposition au soleil.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada

    Ian G. Manion PhD

  2. Department of Psychiatry, CHEO, Canada

    Paula F. Cloutier MA

  3. CHEO Research Institute and Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Canada

    Terry P. Klassen MD, MSc, FRCPC

Authors
  1. Ian G. Manion PhD
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  2. Paula F. Cloutier MA
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  3. Terry P. Klassen MD, MSc, FRCPC
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Manion, I.G., Cloutier, P.F. & Klassen, T.P. Ultraviolet Radiation and Safety Behaviours at an Outdoor Community Event. Can J Public Health 88, 119–122 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403874

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403874

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