Sun safety behaviours of skiers and snowboarders on the South Island of New Zealand

J Price, A Ness, Sam D Leary, C Kennedy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.
Translated title of the contributionSun safety behaviours of skiers and snowboarders on the South Island of New Zealand
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)39 - 47
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology
Volume5
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2006

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