Self‐Reported Changes in Sun‐Protection Behaviors at Different Latitudes in Australia |
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| Authors: | Ngadiman Djaja Monika Janda Robyn M Lucas Simone L Harrison Ingrid van der Mei Peter R Ebeling Rachel E Neale David C Whiteman Madeleine Nowak Michael G Kimlin |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Public Health and Social Work, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia;2. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia;3. National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence in Sun and Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia;4. National Centre for Epidemiology and Research School of Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia;5. Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia;6. JCU Skin Cancer Research Group, Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical & Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia;7. Anton Breinl Centre for Health Systems Strengthening, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine (AITHM), James Cook University, Townsville, Qld, Australia;8. Menzies Institute for Medical Research, Hobart, Tas., Australia;9. School of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia;10. QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Qld, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Sun exposure is the most important source of vitamin D, but is also a risk factor for skin cancer. This study investigated attitudes toward vitamin D, and changes in sun‐exposure behavior due to concern about adequate vitamin D. Participants (n = 1002) were recruited from four regions of Australia and completed self‐ and interviewer‐administered surveys. Chi‐square tests were used to assess associations between participants' latitude of residence, vitamin D‐related attitudes and changes in sun‐exposure behaviors during the last summer. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to model the association between attitudes and behaviors. Overall, people who worried about their vitamin D status were more likely to have altered sun protection and spent more time in the sun people not concerned about vitamin D. Concern about vitamin D was also more common with increasing latitude. Use of novel item response theory analysis highlighted the potential impact of self‐reported behavior change on skin cancer predisposition due concern to vitamin. This cross‐sectional study shows that the strongest determinants of self‐reported sun‐protection behavior changes due to concerns about vitamin D were attitudes and location, with people at higher latitudes worrying more. |
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