Evaluation of sun awareness with an emphasis on ultraviolet protection by clothing: A survey of adults in Western Germany

Abstract

Little is known about the sun habits of the population in Germany. We aimed to assess the sun awareness and notion on ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection by fabrics in adult subjects from North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany. During regular skin cancer screening campaigns, 1206 subjects completed and returned a structured questionnaire on constitutional parameters and the respondents' sun habits. Staying in the shade and the use of high-factor sunscreens are the most commonly performed sun-protective measures reported by the respondents. Males and lower-educated people use clothing in conjunction with sunscreens more infrequently. Most respondents, particularly females, know that sun protection provided by clothing is variable. However, the elderly more frequently consider sun protection by clothing as excellent. Notably, more than two-thirds of the respondents would prefer clothing with a labelled ultraviolet protection factor. The respondents of this survey mainly considered baby wear, children wear, and leisure wear for sun-protective clothing, whereby light-weighted, breathable, natural fabrics preferably made of cotton and linen were the most frequently reported protective textiles. Given the lack of epidemiological observations on people's sun habits and protection in Germany, the present relatively large survey provides useful information and implications for counselling in sun protection and marketing of UV-protective clothing.