Published in

Karger Publishers, Dermatology, 4(231), p. 360-366, 2015

DOI: 10.1159/000439428

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Sun Protection Behavior in Organ Transplant Recipients in Queensland, Australia.

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Green circle
Preprint: archiving allowed
Green circle
Postprint: archiving allowed
Red circle
Published version: archiving forbidden
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Organ transplant recipients (OTRs) have a high risk of skin cancer, and excessive sun exposure is a major contributing factor. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To document the prevalence of sun protection and associated factors in OTRs in Queensland, Australia. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Cross-sectional study of the frequency of wearing hats, long sleeves and using sunscreens among OTRs and factors associated with regular use. Adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Poisson regression models. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Among 446 OTRs, 66, 49 and 39% wore a hat, sunscreen and long sleeves, respectively, mostly when outdoors. 52% regularly practiced multiple sun protection measures while 19% did not. Sunburn-prone skin (PR = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.06-1.93) and frequent whole-body skin examinations (PR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.19-1.84) were independently associated with regular use of multiple sun protection measures. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Findings are consistent with sun-conscious OTRs also having more regular skin screening and that having frequent skin examinations promotes sun-protective habits.