School students’ knowledge and understanding of the Global Solar Ultraviolet Index

Abstract

Background. The Global Solar Ultraviolet Index (UVI) is a health communication tool used to inform the public about the health risks of excess solar UV radiation and encourage appropriate sun-protection behaviour. Knowledge and understanding of the UVI has been evaluated among adult populations but not among school students. Objectives. To draw on previously unpublished data from two school-based studies, one in New Zealand (NZ) and the other in South Africa (SA), to investigate and compare students' knowledge of the UVI and, where possible, report their understanding of UVI. Methods. Cross-sectional samples of schoolchildren in two countries answered questions on whether they had seen or heard of the UVI and questions aimed at probing their understanding of this measure. Results. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 1 177 students, comprising 472 NZ (264 year 8 (Y8), 214 year 4 (Y4) students) and 705 SA grade 7 primary-school students aged 8 -13 years. More than half of the NZ Y8 students answered that they had previously heard about or seen the UVI, whereas significantly more SA students and NZ Y4 students replied that they had neither seen nor heard about the UVI. Among the NZ students who had seen or heard of the UVI, understanding of the tool was fairly good. Conclusion. The observed lack of awareness among many students in both countries provides an opportunity to introduce an innovative and age-appropriate UVI communication method that combines level of risk with behavioural responses to UVI categories and focus on personal relevance to the UVI message.

Awareness, understanding, use, and impact of the UV index: A systematic review of over two decades of international research

“…However, 89% were aware of burn time (an estimate of the time it takes to burn); though, only 66% had adequate understanding of it. Similar trends in awareness and understanding of UVI were discovered among primary school students in New Zealand 15 . Researchers found that although year 8 students tended to have better understanding of UVI, sun exposure, and protection when compared to year 4 students; over half (57%) of the year 8 students reported that the UVI was difficult to understand 15 .…”

“…Similar trends in awareness and understanding of UVI were discovered among primary school students in New Zealand 15 . Researchers found that although year 8 students tended to have better understanding of UVI, sun exposure, and protection when compared to year 4 students; over half (57%) of the year 8 students reported that the UVI was difficult to understand 15 . Public awareness and understanding of the UVI may be lower in New Zealand than Australia, potentially due to New Zealand's concurrent and historical public use of burn time.…”

“…However, pale skin has historically been favored in China, and skin protection via sunscreen, clothing, and parasols is common 36 . In South Africa, Wright and colleagues 21,15 found that among a sample 7 th grade students, only 29% were aware of the UVI, and among those, 19% reported seeing it on television. Public dissemination of the UVI is minimal in South Africa.…”

Are current guidelines for sun protection optimal for health? Exploring the evidence

“…Nevertheless, at the moment, understanding of the UVI remains poor in many countries. 7,46,47 We have shown that with some knowledge of personal skin type, a simple calculation can provide the maximum allowable time outdoors before minimal erythema of the skin occurs. There are safety factors built into this approximation, including that exposure to full sunlight is unlikely for the full duration of the time outdoors, the calculation assumes exposure to a horizontal unshaded surface, and the mathematical approximation itself is conservative.…”

Review of the Global Solar UV Index 2015 Workshop Report

“…Unfortunately, people in many countries still do not know the difference between heat and UVR ( Wong et al 2015 ). In a German survey ( Boerner et al 2010 ), the UV Index had poor recognition with only 30% having ever heard or read anything about the UV Index – a similar recognition frequency was found among school children in South Africa ( Wright et al 2015a ). Interestingly, broadcasting of the UV Index in South Africa was dropped after 10 y because of poor media uptake and the monotony of unchanging UVI values in that climate.…”