Similarity of sun protection attitudes and behaviours within north Queensland peer groups

Abstract

Issue addressed: The study investigates whether the perceived sun protective practices of the peer group during a day-time recreational boat trip were associated with the sun protective attitudes and behaviours of individuals on the same boat. Methods: Cross-sectional survey of recreational boat users conducted in Townsville, North Queensland, during the summer of 2003. One hundred and twenty-four of 134 boat users returning from a day trip agreed to participate, with 10 later excluded from analysis due to either being the sole person on the boat or because they were in the sun for less than an hour between 9 am and 3 pm (n=114, response rate=92%). Results: The more positively respondents perceived the sun protective behaviours of other people on the boat, the more likely they were to report that they: did not enjoy exposing their unprotected skin to the sun (p=0.004); believed an occasional sunburn is not an acceptable risk (p=0.006); wore sunglasses on the trip (p=0.002); wore a wide-brimmed hat together with a long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen (p=0.006); and did not report reasons for neglecting to use sun protection (p=0.019). Conclusions: The perceived sun protection practices of the peer group majority were significantly associated with the sun protection practices of the observer. Key words: Sun protection, health promotion, skin cancer, peer education.