Sun protective behaviors at an outdoor entertainment event in Australia |
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| Authors: | Fiona Barrett BN RN Cindy Woods BEd PhD Simone L. Harrison BSc. MPHTM FACTM PhD Jane Nikles MBBS PhD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia;2. Skin Cancer Research Unit, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia;3. Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| Abstract: | An observational study was conducted to examine the use of sun protective hats, clothing, and sunglasses of people attending an outdoor entertainment event in an area of high‐to‐extreme ultraviolet radiation in New South Wales, Australia. Armidale is unique, as it is a highly‐elevated area, almost 1000 m above sea level, and temperatures are often mild with very high‐to‐extreme levels of ultraviolet radiation. Four trained data collectors observed attendees as they entered the event, and recorded their use of sun protective hats, clothing, and sunglasses. While more than half of the attendees wore sun protective hats, only 14% wore sun protective clothing. Broad‐brimmed hats were considered sun protective, while sun protective clothing was defined by shirts with at least three‐quarter‐length sleeves. Females were more likely to wear both a sun protective hat and clothing than males, and children were less protected than adults. Legislative changes are required to ensure that organizers of outdoor events have a legal responsibility to provide a safe environment for attendees, including strategies to help reduce ultraviolet radiation exposure. |
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| Keywords: | melanoma observation study prevention sun protection sun protective behavior ultraviolet |
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