Attitudes, beliefs and behaviour regarding the use of sunbeds amongst healthcare workers in Bradford

Although cosmetic tanning and unprotected solar exposure are common, little is known about general attitudes, beliefs and behaviour regarding the use of sunbeds. We sought to determine the frequency of sunbed use in a select sample and to assess the knowledge and beliefs regarding this behaviour. A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 64 8 employees working for Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust. The questionnaire exp lored demographic information (including hair and skin type, family history with skin cancer), frequency of sunbed use, knowledge about the risks of U V exposure and motivations for practising this behaviour. Four hundred and eighteen women and 52 men completed the questionnaire, making a response ra te of 73%. Nearly half of respondents (207; 44%) reported using sunbeds to some extent; of these 12% reported frequent use. Appearance ('to look bette r') was the most popular reason given by respondents for using sunbeds, fol lowed by 'feel healthy'. Frequency of using sunbeds was found to be negativ ely correlated with the age of respondents and the existence of family expe rience with skin cancer, and strongly associated with the opinion that it i s safer to use a sunbed than sunbathing outdoors, the female sex and smokin g. It is clear from this study that the psychological factors that influenc e sunbed use are complex and that so far public education campaigns have ha d little impact on it. This study highlights some of these psychological fa ctors.