Fan Xiang1, Simone Harrison2, Madeleine Nowak3, Michael Kimlin4, Ingrid Van der Mei5, Rachel E Neale6, Craig Sinclair7, Robyn M Lucas8. 1. National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. Electronic address: fan.xiang@anu.edu.au. 2. School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia; School of Public Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. 3. School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia; School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia. 4. School of Public Health, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia. 5. Menzies Research Institute Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. 6. Queensland Berghofer Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia. 7. Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. 8. National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To examine the effects of meteorological factors on weekend sun exposure behaviours and personal received dose of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in Australian adults. METHODS: Australian adults (n=1002) living in Townsville (19°S, 146°E), Brisbane (27°S, 153°E), Canberra (35°S, 149°E) and Hobart (43°S, 147°E) were recruited between 2009 and 2010. Data on sun exposure behaviours were collected by daily sun exposure dairies; personal UVR exposure was measured with a polysulphone dosimeter. Meteorological data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology; ambient UVR levels were estimated using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument data. RESULTS: Higher daily maximum temperatures were associated with reduced likelihood of wearing a long-sleeved shirt or wearing long trousers in Canberra and Hobart, and higher clothing-adjusted UVR dose in Canberra. Higher daily humidity was associated with less time spent outdoors in Canberra. Higher ambient UVR level was related to a greater clothing-adjusted personal UVR dose in Hobart and a greater likelihood of using sunscreen in Townsville. CONCLUSION: The current findings enhance our understanding of the impact of weather conditions on the population's sun exposure behaviours. This information will allow us to refine current predictive models for UVR-related diseases, and guide future health service and health promotion needs.
PURPOSE: To examine the effects of meteorological factors on weekend sun exposure behaviours and personal received dose of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in Australian adults. METHODS: Australian adults (n=1002) living in Townsville (19°S, 146°E), Brisbane (27°S, 153°E), Canberra (35°S, 149°E) and Hobart (43°S, 147°E) were recruited between 2009 and 2010. Data on sun exposure behaviours were collected by daily sun exposure dairies; personal UVR exposure was measured with a polysulphone dosimeter. Meteorological data were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology; ambient UVR levels were estimated using the Ozone Monitoring Instrument data. RESULTS: Higher daily maximum temperatures were associated with reduced likelihood of wearing a long-sleeved shirt or wearing long trousers in Canberra and Hobart, and higher clothing-adjusted UVR dose in Canberra. Higher daily humidity was associated with less time spent outdoors in Canberra. Higher ambient UVR level was related to a greater clothing-adjusted personal UVR dose in Hobart and a greater likelihood of using sunscreen in Townsville. CONCLUSION: The current findings enhance our understanding of the impact of weather conditions on the population's sun exposure behaviours. This information will allow us to refine current predictive models for UVR-related diseases, and guide future health service and health promotion needs.
Authors: Laura King; Keith Dear; Simone L Harrison; Ingrid van der Mei; Alison M Brodie; Michael G Kimlin; Robyn M Lucas Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2016-08-26 Impact factor: 3.295