Abstract
Objectives
Although sunbed use is common in many developed countries, little is known about the characteristics of sunbed users.
Methods
The SUN-Study 2008 (Sunbed-Use: Needs for Action-Study 2008) contains data on indoor tanning practices. It has a net sample size of 500 randomly selected 18–45-year-old adults living in Mannheim, Germany.
Results
In this sample, current sunbed users were predominantly females, employed, had completed vocational school (or an equivalent certification), were smokers, participated primarily in individual sports and had skin types III or IV. The mean overall prevalence of sun bed use was 21.0%.
Conclusions
Our results highlight specific potential risk factors for intervention that should be examined in other settings among different populations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Amir Z, Wright A, Kernohan EE, Hart G (2000) Attitudes, beliefs and behaviour regarding the use of sunbeds amongst healthcare workers in Bradford. Eur J Cancer Care 9:76–79
Armstrong BK, Kricker A (1993) How much melanoma is caused by sun exposure? Melanoma Res 3:395–401
Bränström R, Ullén H, Brandberg Y (2004) Attitudes, subjective norms and perception of behavioural control as predictors of sun-related behaviour in Swedish adults. Prev Med 39:992–999
Coups EJ, Manne SL, Heckman CJ (2008) Multiple skin cancer risk behaviors in the U.S. population. Am J Prev Med 34:87–93
Dissel M, Rotterdam S, Altmeyer P, Gambichler T (2009) Indoor tanning in North Rhine-Westphalia Germany: a self-reported survey. Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 25:94–100
El Ghissassi F, Baan R, Straif K, Grosse Y, Secretan B, Bouvard V et al (2009) Special report: policy. A review of human carcinogens—Part D: radiation. Lancet Oncol 10:751–752
Ezzedine K, Malvy D, Mauger E, Nageotte O, Galan P, Hercberg S et al (2008) Artificial and natural ultraviolet radiation exposure: beliefs and behaviour of 7200 French adults. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 22:186–194
Fitzpatrick TB (1975) Soleil et peau. J Med Esthet 2:33–34
Greinert R, Volkmer B, Wende A, Voss S, Breitbart EW (2003) Prevention of skin cancer. Necessity, implementation and success. Hautarzt 54:1152–1163 (in German)
Hoerster KD, Mayer JA, Woodruff SI, Malcarne V, Roesch SC, Clapp E (2007) The influence of parents and peers on adolescent indoor tanning behavior: findings from a multi-city sample. J Am Acad Dermatol 57:990–997
International Agency For Research On Cancer (2005) Exposure to artificial UV radiation and skin cancer. IARC, Lyon
Lazovich D, Forster J, Sorensen G, Emmons K, Stryker J, Demierre M-F et al (2004) Characteristics associated with use or intention to use indoor tanning among adolescents. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 158:918–924
Mathys P, Moser M, Bressoud D, Gerber B, Braun-Fahrländer C (2002) Behavior of sunbed users in Switzerland. Soz Praventivmed 47:318–329 (in German)
World Health Organization (2003) Artificial tanning sunbeds. Risks and guidance. World Health Organization, Geneva
Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Ursula Goldberger (MIPH) for her assistance in preparing the manuscript and Shelby Yamamoto, MSc (MIPH) for language support.
Conflict of interest statement
None of the authors had any conflict of interest, including specific financial interests, relationships, and/or affiliations relevant to the subject matter or materials included in this manuscript.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Diehl, K., Litaker, D.G., Greinert, R. et al. The prevalence of current sunbed use and user characteristics: the SUN-Study 2008. Int J Public Health 55, 513–516 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0100-4
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0100-4