Sun Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors among Beachgoing Adolescents

Background

Skin cancer rates are rising and could be reduced with better sun protection behaviors. Adolescent exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is damaging because it can lead to skin cancer. This descriptive study extends understanding of adolescent sun exposure attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors.

Methods

A sample of 423 beachgoing adolescents in Florida were interviewed over 4 days.

Results

Adolescents did not know (63%) the peak hours of strongest UV exposure and nearly half planned to spend over 3 hours in the sun. Females were 2 times more likely to report wearing sunscreen less than SPF 15. Females were also 5 times as likely to intentionally tan and use tan enhancers. Respondents likely to sunburn reported better sunscreen usage and viewed a suntan less favorably. Of those surveyed, most believed that a suntan looked healthy (80%). Despite the reported risky sun behaviors, 67% thought that they were at risk of developing skin cancer.

Discussion and Translation to Health Education Practice

Insufficient sun protection behaviors and sun safety knowledge were apparent. Appearance motivations trumped sun-safe behaviors and the threat of skin cancer. Interventions should include sun safety education as well as sociocultural strategies to reduce the societal valuation of suntans.