dc.contributor.author |
Wright, Caradee Yael
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Reeder, Anthony I.
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Albers, Patricia Nicole
|
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2016-02-16T09:04:33Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2016-02-16T09:04:33Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2015-12 |
|
dc.description.abstract |
BACKGROUND. The Global Solar Ultraviolet Index (UVI) is a health communication tool used to inform the public about the health risks
of excess solar UV radiation and encourage appropriate sun-protection behaviour. Knowledge and understanding of the UVI has been
evaluated among adult populations but not among school students.
OBJECTIVES. To draw on previously unpublished data from two school-based studies, one in New Zealand (NZ) and the other in South
Africa (SA), to investigate and compare students’ knowledge of the UVI and, where possible, report their understanding of UVI.
METHODS. Cross-sectional samples of schoolchildren in two countries answered questions on whether they had seen or heard of the UVI
and questions aimed at probing their understanding of this measure.
RESULTS. Self-report questionnaires were completed by 1 177 students, comprising 472 NZ (264 year 8 (Y8), 214 year 4 (Y4) students) and
705 SA grade 7 primary-school students aged 8 - 13 years. More than half of the NZ Y8 students answered that they had previously heard
about or seen the UVI, whereas significantly more SA students and NZ Y4 students replied that they had neither seen nor heard about the
UVI. Among the NZ students who had seen or heard of the UVI, understanding of the tool was fairly good.
CONCLUSION. The observed lack of awareness among many students in both countries provides an opportunity to introduce an innovative
and age-appropriate UVI communication method that combines level of risk with behavioural responses to UVI categories and focus on
personal relevance to the UVI message. |
en_ZA |
dc.description.librarian |
am2015 |
en_ZA |
dc.description.sponsorship |
For the NZ project, Dr Wright received funding from the National Research Foundation of South Africa, the National Institute of
Water and Atmospheric Research and an International PhD scholarship
from the University of Otago.
Dr Reeder and the Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit
received funding from the Cancer Society of New Zealand Inc. and the
University of Otago. Funding for the SA project was granted in part by
the Cancer Association of South Africa, the Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research and the Medical Research Council of South Africa. |
en_ZA |
dc.description.uri |
http://www.samj.org.za |
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.citation |
Wright, CY, Reeder, AI & Albers, PN 2015, 'School students’ knowledge and understanding of the Global Solar Ultraviolet Index', South African Medical Journal, vol. 105, no. 12, pp. 1024-1029. |
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.issn |
0256-9574 (print) |
|
dc.identifier.issn |
2078-5135 (online) |
|
dc.identifier.other |
10.7196/SAMJ.2015.v105i12.10120 |
|
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/51406 |
|
dc.language.iso |
en |
en_ZA |
dc.publisher |
Health and Medical Publishing Group |
en_ZA |
dc.rights |
© 2015 Health & Medical Publishing Group. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial Works License (CC BY-NC 3.0). |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Health risks |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Ultraviolet index (UVI) |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Students |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Awareness |
en_ZA |
dc.subject |
Global solar ultraviolet index |
en_ZA |
dc.title |
School students’ knowledge and understanding of the Global Solar Ultraviolet Index |
en_ZA |
dc.type |
Article |
en_ZA |