A SURVEY OF ATTITUDES, BELIEFS, AND BEHAVIOR REGARDING TANNING BED USE, SUNBATHING, AND SUNSCREEN USE

Background. Although cosmetic tanning and unprotected solar exposure a re common, little is known about general attitudes, beliefs, and behav ior regarding sunbathing, sunscreen use, and tanning salon use. Object ive: We sought to determine the frequency of UV exposure in a select s ample and to assess the knowledge and beliefs of the effects of UV irr adiation. Methods: A written, anonymous questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 477 persons in a shopping mall, at a social gathering, and on a vacation cruise ship. The instrument explored demographic inf ormation, sunscreen use, sunbathing habits, tanning bed use, and cutan eous solar effects. Results: Forty-two percent of respondents seldom o r never used sunscreen, and 33% sunbathed at least once a week. Althou gh the three sample populations differed in education, sunbathing habi ts, sunscreen use, and tanning bed use, they were equally informed abo ut UV light hazards. Compared with those who had not used tanning beds , tanning bed users were more likely to be female and more knowledgeab le about the long-term effects of UV. Tanning beds were most commonly used in tanning or hair salons, (mean 23 +/- 7 minutes at 2.3 +/- 1.1 times per week). Reported positive psychologic sequelae from tanning b ed use were more common than negative physical sequelae. At least 10% would continue to use tanning beds if these were proved to cause skin cancer. Conclusion: In this select sample, sunbathing and tanning bed use were common. No group surveyed universally practiced sun protectio n and avoidance. Clientele of tanning beds may be aware of the damagin g effects of the sun, but may not be aware that tanning bed use is ass ociated with skin damage.