Comparing the Sun-related Beliefs and Behaviours of Men and Women across Age Groups: a Qualitative Study in a Tropical Region

Objective: To explore gender and age differences in North Queensland (NQ) adult’s sun protection knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behaviours. Methods: A qualitative ‘grounded theory’ approach was used to develop concepts out of data collected from 42 men and 22 women via interviews and focus groups. Results and Discussion: In contrast to NQ men, the women in this study often had accurate knowledge about the causes and prevention of skin cancer, a strong sense of personal susceptibility and the seriousness of skin cancer, and a variety of motivators but few barriers to using sun protection. As a result, many NQ women regularly used recommended sun protection strategies, while the men did not. NQ men’s use of sun protection was often influenced by their social environment, and level of UVRinduced skin damage experience and skin cancer. Conclusions: Differences in skin cancer prevention knowledge, attitudes and behaviours were found between the sexes. These differences may explain why NQ men experience much higher skin cancer rates than the women. Workplaces having outdoor working employees are potentially important sites for skin cancer interventions in NQ. To overcome NQ men’s poor attitudes, perceived barriers and lack of motivators to using sun protection, the most effective strategy may be to make it mandatory for outdoor workers to wear long-sleeved shirts and wide brimmed hats when in working in the sun.