Use of sunscreen and indoor tanning devices among a nationally representative sample of high school students, 2001-2011.

Corey H Basch,Sonali Rajan,Charles E Basch,Kelly V Ruggles

doi:10.5888/pcd11.140191

Abstract

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to engaging in poor skin-protection behaviors. The objective of this study was to examine use of sunscreen and indoor tanning devices among a nationally representative sample of high school students during a 10-year period (2001–2011) using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. The percentage of youth who reported using sunscreen declined from 67.7% in 2001 to 56.1% in 2011. The prevalence of using indoor tanning devices was highest among white females: 37.4% in 2009 and 29.3% in 2011. These findings indicate the need for prevention efforts aimed at adolescents to reduce risks for skin cancer.

Highlights

Adolescents are vulnerable to engaging in poor skinprotection behaviors
Our study focused on the analysis of responses to 2 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) questions: 1) When you are outside for more than one hour on a sunny day, how often do you wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher? and 2) During the past 12 months, how many times did you use an indoor tanning device, such as a sunlamp, sunbed, or tanning booth? The response format for each item has multiple categories and was subsequently dichotomized according to CDC methods [4]
Rates of sunscreen use were similar across grade levels

Summary

Introduction

Adolescents are vulnerable to engaging in poor skinprotection behaviors. The objective of this study was to examine use of sunscreen and indoor tanning devices among a nationally representative sample of high school students during a 10-year period (2001–2011) using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. The percentage of youth who reported using sunscreen declined from 67.7% in 2001 to 56.1% in 2011. The prevalence of using indoor tanning devices was highest among white females: 37.4% in 2009 and 29.3% in 2011. These findings indicate the need for prevention efforts aimed at adolescents to reduce risks for skin cancer

Methods

Results

Conclusion