Being SunSmart: Changes in Community Awareness and Reported Behaviour Following a Primary Prevention Program for Skin Cancer Control

Abstract

This paper evaluates the impact of a large scale campaign to encourage increased protection from solar ultra violet radiation (UVR). Broadly representative household surveys were conducted both before and after the campaign. The initial survey showed high levels of awareness of a skin protection message. The survey following the campaign showed large increases in awareness of the campaign slogan. There were high levels of reporting about taking extra precautions for sun protection and of encouraging other people, particularly children, to increase their sun protection. Within the limitations of the design, the results are interpreted as demonstrating an impact of the campaign. There is high community awareness of the need to take precautions against overexposure to solar UVR, coupled with high knowledge of appropriate behaviours and increased reporting of actually taking these precautions.