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Sun‐safety behaviors of skiers and snowboarders on the South Island of New Zealand
Author(s) -
Price Jonathan,
Ness Andy,
Leary Sam,
Kennedy Cameron
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of cosmetic dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.626
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1473-2165
pISSN - 1473-2130
DOI - 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2006.00221.x
Subject(s) - sunburn , sun protection , logistic regression , medicine , demography , odds ratio , sun exposure , injury prevention , poison control , environmental health , dermatology , sociology
Summary Aims To study sun‐protective behaviors among skiers and snowboarders on the South Island of New Zealand and to identify associations with personal characteristics or weather conditions. Methods Two hundred twenty‐six skiers and snowboarders completed an interviewer‐administered questionnaire during September and October 2002. Reported behaviors were used to derive a composite sun‐protection index, which was used to divide the sample into “protected” and “unprotected” groups. Odds ratios of being unprotected were calculated by logistic regression. Results Forty‐eight percent (95% CI 42–54%) of interviewees recalled being sunburned while skiing or snowboarding in the past. Sixty‐eight percent (95% CI 62–74%) were unaware of any educational messages specific to sun protection while skiing or snowboarding. Women were more likely to be protected from the sun (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.27–0.81). Having a skin type resistant to burning (OR 1.93; 95% CI 0.92–4.06) and reported awareness of education messages (OR 1.66; 95% CI 0.92–2.99) were associated with not using sun protection. Conclusions Sunburn is common and sun protection not used by all. Men are less likely to report use of sun‐protection measures. There is no evidence from this study that current strategies are effective in promoting skin protection while skiing or snowboarding.