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Sun Exposure Prevalence and Associated Skin Health Habits: Results from the Austrian Population-Based UVSkinRisk Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Daniela Haluza

    (Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna A-1090, Austria)

  • Stana Simic

    (Institute of Meteorology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Peter-Jordan-Straße 82, Vienna A-1190, Austria)

  • Hanns Moshammer

    (Institute of Environmental Health, Center for Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Kinderspitalgasse 15, Vienna A-1090, Austria)

Abstract

Recreational sun exposure accounts for a large number of acute and chronic dermatological diseases, including skin cancer. This study aimed at estimating the one-year prevalence of sun exposure and skin health-associated knowledge and attitudes among Austrian citizens. The population-based UVSkinRisk survey investigated a representative sample of Austrian adults using a structured questionnaire. In total, 1500 study subjects (median age 33.0 years, 50.5% females) participated in this questionnaire survey. Among study participants, prevalence of sun exposure was 47%, with slightly higher rates in males (48%) compared to females (46%). Younger age, lower professional category, darker skin type, motives to tan, sunbed use, sunburn, and outdoor sport activity increased the odds for prevalent sun exposure. This is the first population-based study evaluating the prevailing sun exposure and recreational habits influencing skin health among Austrian citizens. Despite public media campaigns educating on the harmful effects of sunlight exposure, we found a high prevalence of self-reported sunlight exposure. The results suggest that multifaceted socio-cultural characteristics stimulate recreational sun exposure and tanning habits. Communicating individualized Public (Skin) Health messages might be the key to prevent photo-induced skin health hazards in light-skinned populations. The practical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2016. "Sun Exposure Prevalence and Associated Skin Health Habits: Results from the Austrian Population-Based UVSkinRisk Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-11, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:1:p:141-:d:62459
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Jan Höltge & Renate Cervinka & Hanns Moshammer, 2014. "Connectedness to Nature and Public (Skin) Health Perspectives: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Survey among Austrian Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Suzanne Dobbinson & Kris Jamsen & Helen Dixon & Matthew Spittal & Magdalena Lagerlund & John Lipscomb & Natalie Herd & Melanie Wakefield & David Hill, 2014. "Assessing population-wide behaviour change: concordance of 10-year trends in self-reported and observed sun protection," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 59(1), pages 157-166, February.
    3. Shuxian Yan & Feng Xu & Chunxue Yang & Fei Li & Jing Fan & Linggao Wang & Minqiang Cai & Jianfeng Zhu & Haidong Kan & Jinhua Xu, 2015. "Demographic Differences in Sun Protection Beliefs and Behavior: A Community-Based Study in Shanghai, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-14, March.
    4. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2014. "Temporal and Spatial Melanoma Trends in Austria: An Ecological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    5. Daniela Haluza & Markus Schwab & Stana Simic & Renate Cervinka & Hanns Moshammer, 2015. "Perceived Relevance of Educative Information on Public (Skin) Health: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Telephone Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. K. Thoonen & L. van Osch & H. de Vries & S. Jongen & F. Schneider, 2020. "Are Environmental Interventions Targeting Skin Cancer Prevention among Children and Adolescents Effective? A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-29, January.
    2. Elias Karlsson & Inga-Marie Hübner & Daniela Haluza & Magnus Falk, 2020. "Validation of SEPI in German—A German Translation of the Sun Exposure and Protection Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-9, August.
    3. Hanns Moshammer & Stana Simic & Daniela Haluza, 2017. "UV-Radiation: From Physics to Impacts," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-5, February.
    4. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2016. "Sunbed Use Prevalence and Associated Skin Health Habits: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Survey among Austrian Residents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-13, February.
    5. Katharina Diehl & Eckhard W. Breitbart & Rüdiger Greinert & Joel Hillhouse & Jerod L. Stapleton & Tatiana Görig, 2022. "Nationwide Analysis on Intentional Indoor and Outdoor Tanning: Prevalence and Correlates," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-13, September.

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