Beliefs, knowledge and attitudes as predictors of sunbathing habits and use of sun protection among Swedish adolescents

In 1996, a random population sample of 2615 adolescents completed a questio nnaire concerning habitual sun-related behaviours, attitudes towards sunbat hing, and knowledge about skin cancer. Females, older adolescents, those wi th less sun-sensitive skin, those with higher knowledge and those with a po sitive attitude towards sunbathing were more likely to be frequent sunbathe rs. Younger adolescents, those who today sunbathe moderately, and those wit h sensitive skin were more likely to believe that they would sunbathe more often in the future. Males, adolescents with less sensitive skin, those wit h a positive attitude towards sunbathing and those sunbathing often, were l ess likely to use protection when sunbathing. Interventions to decrease sun exposure among adolescents should focus on changing attitudes toward sunba thing and having a tan, since knowledge of skin cancer and the damaging eff ect of sunbathing did not seem to affect current sunbathing habits, or use of sun protection. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.