Tom Elliott1, Karen Glanz, Eric J Nehl. 1. Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. tsellio@sph.emory.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND: A combination of verbal reports, observations, and physical assessments can improve understanding of prevention programs. OBJECTIVE: Skin swabbing techniques were used to detect the presence of sunscreen as part of a sun protection measurement study at 16 swimming pools. Three pools demonstrated much higher sunscreen use (>95%) than the others (47.1%). This paper compares these three pools to the other 13 to examine whether they have common features and if different sources of data can help interpret the findings. METHODS: Data were collected from skin swabs detecting the presence of sunscreen; observations of participants; observations of pool environments; and surveys. RESULTS: Pool observations showed a higher use of shade structures, sun safety signs, and other supporting items at the three high-sunscreen use pools. These three pools had significantly more year-round and long-term employees than did the other 13 pools. LIMITATIONS: Sunscreen characteristics could not be determined using the swabbing technique. Publicity about the study, or the weather, may have influenced behaviors at the pools. CONCLUSIONS: Supportive environments were associated with consistent high levels of sunscreen use. This study also confirms the importance of using multiple data sources to interpret findings.
BACKGROUND: A combination of verbal reports, observations, and physical assessments can improve understanding of prevention programs. OBJECTIVE: Skin swabbing techniques were used to detect the presence of sunscreen as part of a sun protection measurement study at 16 swimming pools. Three pools demonstrated much higher sunscreen use (>95%) than the others (47.1%). This paper compares these three pools to the other 13 to examine whether they have common features and if different sources of data can help interpret the findings. METHODS: Data were collected from skin swabs detecting the presence of sunscreen; observations of participants; observations of pool environments; and surveys. RESULTS: Pool observations showed a higher use of shade structures, sun safety signs, and other supporting items at the three high-sunscreen use pools. These three pools had significantly more year-round and long-term employees than did the other 13 pools. LIMITATIONS: Sunscreen characteristics could not be determined using the swabbing technique. Publicity about the study, or the weather, may have influenced behaviors at the pools. CONCLUSIONS: Supportive environments were associated with consistent high levels of sunscreen use. This study also confirms the importance of using multiple data sources to interpret findings.
Authors: David C Whiteman; Robyn M Brown; Chunxia Xu; Christine L Paterson; David Miller; Peter G Parsons Journal: J Photochem Photobiol B Date: 2003-01 Impact factor: 6.252
Authors: David B Buller; Suzanne Dobbinson; Dallas R English; Melanie Wakefield; Mary Klein Buller Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2017-02-07 Impact factor: 2.226