Djaja, Ngadiman, Janda, Monika, Lucas, Robyn M., Harrison, Simone L., van der Mei, Ingrid, Ebeling, Peter R., Neale, Rachel, Whiteman, David, Nowak, Madeleine, and Kimlin, Michael G. (2016) Self-reported changes in sun-protection behaviors at different latitudes in Australia. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 92 (3). pp. 495-502.

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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 behaviour due to concern about adequate vitamin D. Participants (n=1,002) 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 behaviours during the last summer. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to model the association between attitudes and behaviours. 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 behaviour change on skin cancer predisposition due concern to vitamin. This cross sectional study shows that the strongest determinants of self-reported sun-protection behaviour changes due to concerns about vitamin D were attitudes and location, with people at higher latitudes worrying more.

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