University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Validation of sun exposure reported annually against interim self-report and daily sun diaries

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-19, 10:16 authored by King, L, Xiang, F, Swaminathan, A, Dear, K, Harrison, SL, Ingrid van der MeiIngrid van der Mei, Kimlin, MG, D'Este, C, Lucas, RM
Data on personal sun exposure over a period exceeding the immediate past days or weeks are typically self-reported in brief questionnaire items. The validity of such self-reporting of longer term personal sun exposure, for example over a year, including detail on variation across seasons, has not previously been investigated. In a volunteer sample (n = 331) of Australian adults aged 18 years and over, we assessed the 12-month reliability of sun exposure reported separately for each season, and its accuracy compared to a daily sun diary in the same season. Seasonal time outdoors displayed fair-to-good reliability between baseline and end of study (12 months), with responses showing higher agreement at lower levels of time outdoors. There was good agreement for ranking of individuals' time outdoors with the daily sun diary data, although the actual diary time outdoors was typically considerably lower than the self-reported questionnaire data. Place of residence, education, being a smoker, day of the week (i.e. working day vs nonworking day) and working mainly outdoors were significant predictors of agreement. While participants overestimated their actual time outdoors, the self-report questionnaire provided a valid ranking of long-term sun exposure against others in the study that was reliable over time.

History

Publication title

Photochemistry and Photobiology

Volume

93

Issue

5

Pagination

1294-1302

ISSN

0031-8655

Department/School

Menzies Institute for Medical Research

Publisher

Amer Soc Photobiology

Place of publication

Biotech Park, 1021 15Th St, Suite 9, Augusta, USA, Ga, 30901-3158

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 The American Society of Photobiology

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC