This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Citing articles on Web of Science (30)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Topic Collections  • Oncology  • Skin Cancer  • Dermatology  • Dermatologic Disorders  • Patient-Physician Relationship/ Care  • Patient Education/ Health Literacy  • Pediatrics  • Adolescent Medicine  • Neoplasms  • Photosensitivity Disorders  • Alert me on articles by topic  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

J. Matthew Knight, MD; Anna N. Kirincich, MD, MPH; Evan R. Farmer, MD; Antoinette F. Hood, MD

Arch Dermatol. 2002;138:1311-1315.

Hypothesis  Awareness of the risks of artificial tanning influences tanning behavior among college students.

Objective  To correlate the prevalence of tanning lamp use, the perceived benefits and risks associated with UV exposure, and knowledge about skin cancer among university students.

Design  A survey was designed and administered to college students seeking "walk-in" care at a university student health center from September 7, 1999, through September 30, 1999.

Setting  A large midwestern public university student health center.

Participants  Undergraduate and graduate students attending the student health center for any medical condition.

Intervention  None.

Main Outcome Measure  Completion of the survey.

Results  Of the surveyed students, 47% had used a tanning lamp during the preceding 12 months. Female students were more common users than male students. Of the students surveyed, 39% reported never having used tanning lamps. More than 90% of users of tanning lamps were aware that premature aging and skin cancer were possible complications of tanning lamp use.

Conclusions  Despite adequate knowledge of the adverse effects of UV exposure, university students freely and frequently use tanning lamps, primarily for desired cosmetic appearance. To alter this risky behavior will require a fundamental change in the societal belief that tans are attractive and healthy.

From the Departments of Dermatology (Drs Knight, Farmer, and Hood) and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (Drs Farmer and Hood) and the Bowen Research Center (Dr Kirincich), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis. Drs Farmer and Hood are now affiliated with the Division of Dermatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter     What's this?

THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES

CHANGES in SKIN TANNING ATTITUDES Fashion Articles and Advertisements in the Early 20th Century
Martin et al.
AJPH 2009;99:2140-2146.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Day at the Beach While on Tropical Vacation: Sun Protection Practices in a High-Risk Setting for UV Radiation Exposure
O'Riordan et al.
Arch Dermatol 2008;144:1449-1455.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

A Comparison of 2 Brief Intervention Approaches to Reduce Indoor Tanning Behavior in Young Women Who Indoor Tan Very Frequently
Turrisi et al.
Arch Dermatol 2008;144:1521-1524.
FULL TEXT  

Indoor Tanning Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Among Young Adults From 1988-2007
Robinson et al.
Arch Dermatol 2008;144:484-488.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Measuring Nonsolar Tanning Behavior: Indoor and Sunless Tanning
Lazovich et al.
Arch Dermatol 2008;144:225-230.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Teens and Tans: Implementing Behavioral Change
Haas
Arch Dermatol 2007;143:1058-1061.
FULL TEXT  

Characteristics Associated With Use or Intention to Use Indoor Tanning Among Adolescents
Lazovich et al.
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2004;158:918-924.
ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT  

Minerva
BMJ 2003;327:E182-182.
FULL TEXT  

Time for the National Legislation of Indoor Tanning to Protect Minors
Demierre
Arch Dermatol 2003;139:520-524.
FULL TEXT  

Tanning lamps popular with students despite risks
Kemp
AAP News 2003;22:2-2.
FULL TEXT  

Minerva
BMJ 2002;325:978-978.
FULL TEXT