scholarly journals Validation of SEPI in German—A German Translation of the Sun Exposure and Protection Index

Author(s):  
Elias Karlsson ◽  
Inga-Marie Hübner ◽  
Daniela Haluza ◽  
Magnus Falk

The Sun Exposure and Protection Index (SEPI) is a brief instrument for scoring of sun exposure habits and propensity to increase sun protection, previously validated in English and in Swedish, as well as in two different outdoor sun intensity environments (Australia and Northern Europe). The aim of the present study was to study reliability and validity of a German translated version of the SEPI to be used in German-speaking populations. Data was collected at University of Flensburg and at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences from November 2018 to April 2019. Participants (n = 205) filled out the SEPI and also a selection of corresponding questions from the Austrian Vienna UV Questionnaire in German. After three weeks, the participants filled out the SEPI once again in order to assess test–retest stability. Of the 205 participants completing the baseline questionnaire, 135 participants completed it once again after three weeks. Internal consistency, by Cronbach’s alpha, for the baseline responses was 0.70 (95% C.I: 0.63–0.76) for SEPI part 1 (sun exposure habits) and 0.72 (95% C.I: 0.66–0.78) for part 2 (propensity to increase sun protection). Test–retest stability was high, with weighted Kappa >0.6 for all items but one, and the instrument correlated well with the previously validated German-language UV Skin Risk Survey Questionnaire. In conclusion, the German version of SEPI can reliably be used for mapping of individual sun exposure patterns.

2018 ◽  
pp. 271-290
Author(s):  
Romina Mählmann ◽  
John Wrae Stanley

This is a report on the initial efforts made to develop phenomenological and hermeneutical methods for didactical use and epistemological research in communicology and translatology. The following analysis deals with a face-to-faceinteraction workshop that took place at the University of Applied Sciences Cologne in January 2012. The primary goal of this workshop was to establish whether or not an adaptation of the Husserlian phenomenological method could be applied within the framework of role plays, i.e., to see to what extent the phenomenological method makes it possible to observe oneself reflectively while actively participating in role plays. In toto, 14 English and German speaking participants took part in different role plays simulating the job-interview process. For this purpose the phenomenological and hermeneutical methods were explicated in an introductory phase and – at least at a rudimentary level – employed in the role plays. During the role plays, the primary tool employed to disclose verbal, para-verbal and non-verbal phenomena used in communication was the phenomenological method. After the role plays, a hermeneutical analysis was done in one selected group. The participants involved were asked to talk about the experiences they made during the role play; this was done while watching a video of the role plays, and it was designed to access the meaning of various verbal, para-verbal and non-verbal phenomena. Especially the comparison of their feelings, thoughts and perceptions with those of other participants was quite informative.


2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Potente ◽  
Vanessa Rock ◽  
Jacqueline McIver ◽  
Melinda Williams ◽  
Christopher Magee ◽  
...  

Australian youth have good knowledge about skin cancer prevention as a result of over three decades of traditional mass media campaigns. However, youth sun protection behavior remains poor. This case study describes the results of a unique social marketing campaign (the Sun Sound) aimed at translating youths’ knowledge into improved sun protection behavior. Formative research identified that a key barrier to sun protection was youth regularly forgot to protect their skin. As such, the campaign centered on a musical jingle that was broadcast at outdoor recreational settings as a “cue to action” reminder to use sun protection at the time and point of sun exposure. The Sun Sound was trialed at two coastal communities in New South Wales, Australia, during summer 2009–2010. The media launch generated 17.6 million Australian audience impressions (advertising value A$257,785). Intercept surveys conducted with 467 youth aged 12–18 years found there was high unprompted recall (41%) and understanding (79%) of the Sun Sound message. The Sun Sound was found to be an effective cue to action in prompting sun protection behaviors when heard, with over a third (38%) of respondents reporting use of additional sun protection upon hearing the jingle. Since the pilot, the Sun Sound has expanded to over 60 pools, beaches, and selected venues across Australia. The campaign demonstrates it is possible to influence behavior by targeting audiences at the actual point that behavior occurs, using research-informed insights and a relevant marketing mix.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 1019
Author(s):  
Mafalda Salvado ◽  
Ana Fraga ◽  
Diogo Luís Marques ◽  
Ivan Miguel Pires ◽  
Carmo Coelho Gonçalves ◽  
...  

Excessive sun exposure during childhood increases the risk of skin cancer. This study characterized the knowledge and attitudes of caregivers regarding exposure and sun protection of children and adolescents. One hundred and ninety-eight caregivers (38.5 ± 8.0 years) who resorted to the consultations of a Pediatrics Service or a Family Health Unit answered a questionnaire. The age of children/adolescents was 6.5 ± 5.1 years. On average, caregivers presented a high level of knowledge regarding exposure and sun protection. One hundred and twenty-six caregivers indicated that they obtained more information about sun protection on social communication, and 66% considered the information provided by healthcare professionals to be enough. One-hundred and fifteen caregivers reported that the child/adolescent was more exposed to the sun after 4 a.m., and 88% reported applying sunscreen on the beach/pool and outdoor activities. Fifty-seven percent of caregivers renewed sunscreen application on the child/adolescent every 2 h, and 94% applied a sun protection factor ≥ 50 in the child/adolescent. There was a significant association (p < 0.001) between education level and caregivers’ self-knowledge about sun protection (the higher the education, the higher the knowledge), and between the knowledge of the hour of sun exposure avoidance and the time when the child/adolescent was more exposed to the sun. This study shows that caregivers are highly knowledgeable about exposure and sun protection in children/adolescents, and their attitudes follow the general recommendations.


Author(s):  
Maayan Franco ◽  
Amir Shani ◽  
Yaniv Poria

Sun exposure, although beneficial and enjoyable, has negative consequences, most prominently an increased risk of developing skin cancer. While sunbathing and other forms of sun exposure play a major role in tourism, they have been scarcely researched, and the objective of this study is to bridge this gap in the literature. The study examines the differences between the tourism and routine sun-exposure patterns, attempting to reveal when and why individuals perceive sun exposure as dangerous. For this exploratory study, in-depth, semi-structured interviews (N = 31) were conducted. The findings revealed three distinct behavioral patterns under different circumstances: (1) During everyday activities, participants did not use protection, as they did not perceive this exposure as dangerous; (2) At the beach or pool during non-tourist leisure pastime, exposure to the sun is perceived as dangerous and protection is routinely used; and (3) In the course of vacations abroad, participants tend to expose themselves to the sun intensively, including for tanning purposes, without proper adherence to the use sun protection measures. These findings are consistent with the view of tourist spaces serve as "liminal zones" that allow individuals to take risks. The study suggests that relevant stakeholders such as public-health authorities, tourism marketers, and holiday destinations should act to promote responsible sun exposure in the tourist context, to prevent skin cancer and other sun-related diseases.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1549-1549
Author(s):  
E. Mahé ◽  
A. Beauchet ◽  
P. Saiag

1549 Background: With the dramatic increase in ultraviolet-induced skin damage, including melanomas and skin carcinomas, advocating the benefits of reasonable and moderate exposure to sunlight is a public health priority in most Western countries. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the nature and quality of the information posted on the Internet about the effects of the sun on health and about sun protection. Methods: We used eight terms with eight search engines to identify relevant websites providing sun protection advice on the French-speaking web. This information was compared to the recommendations issued by nine official organizations. Influence of website quality and commercial links on the quality of the advice provided was evaluated. For the purposes of this comparison, we attributed marks to the following four criteria: 1) risks and benefits of sun exposure; 2) sun avoidance; 3) clothing recommendations; and 4) sunscreen use. Results: The search identified 1,551 links. After exclusion of sites duplicated either within or between search engines, and of websites used as references, we found 129 web pages dedicated to sun protection advice. Data on the effects of the sun and sun protection were deficient in most websites in comparison to official organization websites. It was even better than the web pages or websites respecting quality criteria. Commercial links tended to score poor marks for 1, 2, and 3 but better marks for 4 (sunscreen use). Conclusions: We showed the limits of web-based resources on the French-speaking web regarding sun protection advice. Poor quality of most of the websites and commercial conflict of interest with sunscreen manufacturers may explain these limits. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Author(s):  
Guillermo De Castro-Maqueda ◽  
Carolina Lagares Franco ◽  
José V. Gutiérrez-Manzanedo ◽  
Fabriziomaria Gobba ◽  
Nuria Blázquez Sánchez ◽  
...  

Excessive sun exposure and insufficient protection are the main risk factors for the onset of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (the most common types of cancer suffered by fair-skinned populations) and other adverse effects on the skin and eyes. Epidemiological data highlight the scant awareness of this risk among young people and the high rates of sunburn often recorded among this population. The main aim of the present study is to examine sun exposure and protection behavior by university students. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was undertaken to investigate sun exposure and protection practices among students of education sciences at a university in southern Spain. The data obtained were used to perform a descriptive, comparative analysis, by groups and by gender, of photoprotection and skin self-examination practices. The reliability and validity of the questionnaire were both tested. Of the 315 students who completed the questionnaire, 74.6% had suffered at least one sunburn during the previous year. Few made frequent use of sunscreen or protective clothing and 89.5% did not self-examine their skin. The metric properties of the questionnaire revealed its excellent reliability and validity. Among the Spanish university students considered, there was little awareness of the risk of excessive sun exposure, self-protection was insufficient, the potential exposure to dangerous levels of ultraviolet radiation was high, and most had suffered one or more sunburns in the last year. Intervention strategies should be implemented to highlight the risks involved and the need for more appropriate sun protection practices. Information campaigns should be conducted in this respect so that, when these students become teachers, they will have adequate knowledge of the risks involved and of the benefits of addressing this problem effectively, and will ultimately transfer these health education competences to their own students.


Author(s):  
Guillermo De Castro-Maqueda ◽  
Jose V. Gutierrez-Manzanedo ◽  
Carolina Lagares-Franco ◽  
Magdalena de Troya-Martin

Excessive sun exposure is the main avoidable cause of skin cancer. Outdoor sports performed without adequate photoprotection are risky practices in this respect. This study examines whether elite athletes in water sports (specifically surfing, windsurfing, and sailing) take appropriate measures to protect their skin from the sun, and whether there are differences in this respect according to age, gender, or sports discipline. This study is based on a questionnaire-based health survey. World championship competitors completed a self-administered questionnaire on their sun protection and exposure habits, as well as sunburns during the last sports season. In total, 246 participants, with an age range of 16–30 years, completed the questionnaire. Of these, 49.6% used inadequate sun protection. Those who protected their skin appropriately tended to be older than those who did not (average age = 23.28 and 20.69 years, respectively; p = 0.000). There were no significant differences in sun protection habits between male and female athletes. The rate of sunburn was very high (76.7%). A high proportion (22.5%) of participants never used sunscreen. Elite athletes in water sports are at real risk of skin lesions from overexposure to the sun, associated with inadequate photoprotection practices. Campaigns to raise awareness and to promote the early detection of skin cancer should target these risk groups.


2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 91-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vera Hagemann

Abstract. The individual attitudes of every single team member are important for team performance. Studies show that each team member’s collective orientation – that is, propensity to work in a collective manner in team settings – enhances the team’s interdependent teamwork. In the German-speaking countries, there was previously no instrument to measure collective orientation. So, I developed and validated a German-language instrument to measure collective orientation. In three studies (N = 1028), I tested the validity of the instrument in terms of its internal structure and relationships with other variables. The results confirm the reliability and validity of the instrument. The instrument also predicts team performance in terms of interdependent teamwork. I discuss differences in established individual variables in team research and the role of collective orientation in teams. In future research, the instrument can be applied to diagnose teamwork deficiencies and evaluate interventions for developing team members’ collective orientation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karlijn Thoonen ◽  
Liesbeth van Osch ◽  
Rowan Drittij ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Francine Schneider

Sun protection among children is of utmost importance since sunburn in early life is a major risk factor for skin cancer development. Because parents play a vital role in enhancing sun safety among children, this study explored parental perceptions concerning sun exposure, sun protection behaviors, and sunburn in children. Additionally, the context in which children experience sunburn in order to assist the development, optimization, and targeting of sun safety interventions for parents is revealed.A qualitative study design, using a semi-structured interview guide addressing several themes (e.g. sun exposure, sun protection, and sunburn experiences), was used. Data were collected in the Netherlands in the fall of 2019. Parents were recruited via purposive sampling at schools, youth services centers, and social media. In total, 26 interviews were performed. Execution, transcription, and coding of the interviews was done by two researchers, using the qualitative analyzing program Nvivo (interrater reliability of d =.84). Comprehensive findings concerning various themes were retrieved. It was found that sunburn was frequently prevalent among children, even though all parents reported using at least one sun protection measure. Parents were often unaware of their child’s sunburn and its severity. Regarding sun protection measures, parents demonstrated an overreliance on sunscreen, often failing to adequately protect their children’s skin. Water-related activities, a lack of shade, and lack of knowledge regarding UV-index were often related to sunburn. Moreover, unexpected sun exposure or longer exposure duration than initially planned were reported as challenging situations. The majority of parents had positive perceptions regarding tanned skin for both themselves as for children.This study provides directions for future skin cancer prevention efforts targeted at both parents and their children. Since a lack of knowledge regarding sufficient sun protection measures and sunburn occurrence in various situations was reported, educational efforts are warranted. Additionally, focusing on clothing, shade-seeking, and adequate sunscreen use is recommended to increase children’s sun safety. By intervening in the physical environment as well (e.g. providing shady areas), sun protection barriers can be reduced. Lastly, the general positive attitude toward tanned skin evident in this study is certainly worthy of attention in future interventions.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karlijn Thoonen ◽  
Liesbeth van Osch ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Hein de Vries ◽  
Francine Schneider

Background: Adequate sun safety during childhood is crucial for decreasing skin cancer risk in later life. Although parents are an essential target group in applying sun protection measures for their children, interventions are often not directed at parents. This study identifies the most relevant determinants in predicting parental sun protection intentions and behaviors to provide guidance for future intervention development.Methods: A longitudinal survey study with two measurements was conducted among Dutch parents (N=670) of children (4-12 years old). Twenty-seven socio-cognitive determinants were examined in terms of relevance regarding four parental sun protection behaviors in different sun exposure situations. The CIBER approach was used to visualize room for improvement (sample means) on all determinants and their association strengths (correlations) with sun protection intentions and behaviors.Results: Behavior-specific rather than generic determinants were most relevant in explaining all sun protection behaviors. Of these determinants, attitude, self-efficacy and action planning, and especially parental feelings of difficulty in performing sun protection behaviors, were most relevant. Altogether, the explained variance of all socio-cognitive determinants was highest for shade-seeking behavior (R2= .41 and .43) and lowest for supportive behavior (R2=.19 and .29) in both planned and incidental sun exposure situations respectively.Discussion: This study provides detailed insight into relevant socio-cognitive determinants of parental sun protection behaviors in various sun exposure situations. This insight provides guidance for composing parental skin cancer prevention interventions. Future composition of sun safety interventions should emphasize on enhancing parental feelings of self-efficacy, especially for shade-seeking and clothing behaviors.


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