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Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) monitoring is important since it depends on several atmospheric parameters which are associated with climate change and since excess solar UVR exposure and has significant impacts on human health and wellbeing. The objective of this study was to investigate the trends in solar UVR during a decade (2009–2018) in Saint-Denis, Reunion Island (20.9°S, 55.5°E, 85 m ASL) and Cape Town, South Africa (33.97°S, 18.6°E, 42 m ASL). This comparison was done using total daily erythema exposure as derived from UVR sensors continuously at both sites. Climatology over the 10-year period showed extreme UVR exposure for both sites. Slight changes with opposite trends were found, +3.6% at Saint-Denis and −3.7% at Cape Town. However, these two sites often experience extreme weather conditions thereby making the trend evaluation difficult. Human exposure assessment was performed for hiking activities at two popular high-altitude hiking trails on the Maïdo–Grand Bénare (Reunion) and Table Mountain (Cape Town) with a handheld radiometer. Extreme exposure doses of 64 SED and 40 SED (Standard Erythemal Dose, 1 SED = 100 J.m−2) were recorded, respectively. These high exposure doses highlight the importance of raising public awareness on the risk related to excess UVR exposure at tourist sites, especially those at high altitude.

The incidence of melanoma in Reunion Island is on the rise and is now one of the highest worldwide. Although the main risk factor of melanoma is sun exposure during childhood, sun protection measures remain insufficient in Reunionese schools. From November 2019 to November 2020, we conducted a qualitative study to explore the attitudes, barriers, and motivations to sun protection among the main actors of children’s protection in Reunion Island. Individual semi-directive interviews were performed with 14 children aged 6 to 10 years, 13 parents, and 13 teachers. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Relevant data were coded, triangulated, analyzed, and then modeled following the methodology of grounded theory. Sufficiency of the data was sought. All 40 participants described their sun protection habits. Protection was lower during school activities than during leisure activities. Parents identified several practical and financial barriers to sun protection. Teachers pointed out the lack of adequate infrastructure and sun protection training. Responsibility for children’s protection was a point of disagreement between parents and teachers. Children limited their use of protection, mainly for reasons of comfort. Children’s sun protection in schools is the responsibility of educational staff, parents, and society at large. Improving communication between these various actors is necessary. Sun safety campaigns and reorganization of the school environment would allow for better protection of the child population.

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