Parental Use and Educational Campaigns on Sunbed Use Among Teenagers and Adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sunbed use among teenagers and the association between familial behavior and the adoption of UV-protective practices in this age group. We also assessed the impact of an educational program on students’ knowledge about the potential risks of sunbed use. The educational intervention focused on: (i) skin effects of UV radiation, (ii) photoaging and photocarcinogenesis, (iii) risk factors for skin cancer, (iv) indoor sun tanning and misleading concepts such as possible protective effect of sunbed use on skin cancer risk, (v) sun protection and relation with skin phototype, and (vi) early diagnosis of melanoma using the ABCDE check list and the ugly duckling sign. We carried out a survey of 3098 students and found a strong association between parental sunbed use and students’ use of the same (P < 0.0001). Students who attended the educational intervention were more aware that sunbed use cannot prevent sunburns (P = 0.03) than those who did not attend, making adjustments for confounding variables. However, sunbed use by parents influenced the desire to use a sunbed more than participation in the educational intervention (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, although our results indicate that educational interventions can improve knowledge of the risk of sunbed use. They also reveal a strong correlation between sunbed use by teenagers and parental behavior that highlights the importance of educational interventions involving families.

Decreasing sunbed use in the German population between 2001 and 2015: survey in 155 679 working persons

“…Nonetheless, there still is a lack of reliable data on the profiles and motivation of the remaining users despite the clear‐cut public awareness campaigns. Finally, there is a need for continued awareness campaigns on the risks of sunbed use as performed in several countries, which should focus on especially young persons but also their social environment . There is a need for further data on specifying the attributable risk in those minorities who still use sunbeds on a regular basis.…”

Ultraviolet radiation exposure among Belgrade high school students: analysis of knowledge, attitudes and behaviour

“…Female students in our study proved to be more prone to using a sunbed than male – not only they use it more often, but also they plan to use them more frequently in the future. The female aspiration to intentional tanning in order to enhance attractiveness has been described in recent literature across Europe . Also, younger students consider the sunbeds not to be so harmful and tend to start with the sunbeds at a younger age, a phenomenon already registered in different countries …”

“…The female aspiration to intentional tanning in order to enhance attractiveness has been described in recent literature across Europe. [27][28][29][30] Also, younger students consider the sunbeds not to be so harmful and tend to start with the sunbeds at a younger age, a phenomenon already registered in different countries. 28,29 The third set of questions regarding behaviour in the sun showed that many adolescents (43.71%) spend more than 1 h in the sun without any protection, which is still less compared to Greek peers -60.2%.…”

“…[27][28][29][30] Also, younger students consider the sunbeds not to be so harmful and tend to start with the sunbeds at a younger age, a phenomenon already registered in different countries. 28,29 The third set of questions regarding behaviour in the sun showed that many adolescents (43.71%) spend more than 1 h in the sun without any protection, which is still less compared to Greek peers -60.2%. 17 Minding the fact that the risk of melanoma in adulthood is almost doubled if there were sunburns in childhood, 13 the question regarding possible sunburns during the last summer season is of high importance.…”

Is initiating tanning bed use as a minor associated with increased risky tanning behaviors and burning? An exploratory study

“…Previous research suggests that parents generally play a role in inhibiting – or in some cases facilitating – indoor tanning behavior. 16,24 Studies find that young women who tanned the first time with their mother – typically as adolescents – are more likely to become higher frequency tanners than those that did not. 25,26 Therefore, for some adolescents, tanning for the first time with their mother may signify a ‘stamp of approval’ on the behavior that leads to more frequent and casual use of tanning beds.…”