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Think UV , not heat!
Author(s) -
Wong Celestine C,
Liu Wenyuan,
Gies Peter,
Nixon Rosemary
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/ajd.12272
Subject(s) - sunburn , sun protection , medicine , ultraviolet radiation , sunlight , sun exposure , skin cancer , sunbathing , population , incidence (geometry) , demography , environmental health , dermatology , cancer , chemistry , physics , astronomy , sociology , radiochemistry , optics
Background Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, a preventable disease caused primarily by exposure to ultraviolet radiation ( UVR ) in sunlight. Health promotion strategies play a significant role in sun protection. Objectives To assess the understanding of a population sample as to the time of year that the sun was ‘at its most burning’ in M elbourne, A ustralia. Methods A cross‐sectional study was performed using questionnaires completed at corporate skin checks, conducted on 668 participants during 2011 to 2013. Results Only a minority ( n = 82, 12%) gave the correct theoretical answer; the summer solstice or 21–22 December, while another 38% ( n = 254) correctly named D ecember and J anuary as the times when the UVR is actually highest. In all, 18% ( n = 122) said February was the month when the temperature is hottest and 170 (25%) either mentioned the period M ay– A ugust when UVR is negligible in M elbourne or had no idea, including saying ‘all year round’. There was no significant difference in this knowledge between different age groups. Conclusion One‐quarter of participants did not understand that sunburn was related to high levels of UVR , which occur in summer. Almost one‐fifth associated the heat of F ebruary with the highest UVR . Understanding these concepts is important for A ustralians residing in cooler parts of southern Australia, as UVR levels may be high and yet the temperature may be relatively cool. There needs to be more emphasis on UVR in sun awareness campaigns to prompt sun‐protective behaviour.