Zusammenhang von Sonnenschutzverhalten, Wissen über die Risiken ultravioletter Strahlung und Bräunungsidealen in der FRANCIS-Studie
Year: 2020
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background and Purpose: In Germany the incidence of malignant melanoma and non-melanocytic skin cancer has been increasing for years. The decisive risk factor contributing to the development of skin cancer which can be influenced, is the exposition to ultraviolet radiation whilst sunbathing or tanning in a solarium. Investigating factors such as individual tanning and sun protection behaviour, personal attitudes towards the beauty ideal ‘sun-tanned skin’, knowledge about skin cancer risk factors, influence on mood as well as subsequent analysis of correlations between those findings help to determine how personal risk behaviour and protection measures are influenced in order to expand the knowledge base for future prevention programmes. Method: The FRANCIS-study, designed as an epidemiological cross-sectional study, was conducted in all Nuremberg kindergartens in summer 2016. Inquiries were made by means of a self-administered questionnaire for parents, asking, among other things, about the child’s sun protection, the parent’s behaviour in terms of sun and solariums, knowledge about skin cancer risk factors, attitudes towards sun and tanned skin, previous participation in skin cancer screenings and incidents of skin cancer in their social environment. Only answers recording behaviour, knowledge and attitudes of adults were selected for this dissertation. Avoiding a distortion in results by gender and age, solely questionnaires of mothers were chosen and analysed. A descriptive depiction of findings was followed by various statistical tests to detect correlations between answers. Results: Of 8531 questionnaires handed out, 3220 responses were received. 85% of these were completed by mothers with an average age of 35.9 years. The prevailing beauty ideal was found to be tanned skin. 70% of women feel more beautiful with tanned skin and 72% of women found tanned skin to be attractive. 88% of female participants verified that sun on one’s skin feels good. Of all skin cancer risk factors the short-lasting, intensive radiation was least detected, only 32% of mothers knew. 48% of women do sun-bathing to catch a tan and 50% merely wear sun-glasses to protect their heads on sunny days. With the help of statistical tests, it could be demonstrated that a risk-prone tanning behaviour, expressed through sun-bathing to get a tan, using a solarium and wearing headgears and sunglasses infrequently, correlates with little knowledge about skin cancer risk factors and a lower education level. Furthermore, the ideal of tanned skin and the pleasant feeling of sun on skin are associated with a more risk-prone behaviour regarding radiation. Conclusion: Overall, we were able to show that sun bathing and sun protection behaviour leaves room for improvement. In groups of cross-sections with higher education levels the prevailing beauty ideal outweighs the knowledge about skin cancer risks regarding the development of risk-prone behaviour. As the media influence beauty ideals most substantially, they should be encouraged to disseminate another type of beauty ideal as well as touch upon negative consequences of tanning such as premature skin aging. Moreover, the good feeling of sun on skin leads in all cross-section groups to a more frequent and unprotected exposition to UV-radiation. At this point we need to motivate people to enjoy the sun with sufficient protection in the future and to shorten their exposure to radiation whilst staying in the sun to a minimum. Knowledge about skin cancer risks also matters a great deal with the development of tanning and protection behaviour. In particular with younger people and mothers with a lower education level or immigration background severe knowledge gaps persists. We advise to inform these groups through education programmes in schools and lessons in different languages, for example.
Author: Humann, Theresa
Language: German
Topic: Skin Protection and Aging
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7035024076