PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to adapt the Sun Protection Behavior Scale (SPBS) to Turkish and to perform validity and reliability analyses. METHODS: The scale was administered to a total of 900 adolescents, the retest to 91 adolescents. The construct validity of the scale was evaluated using exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The EFA and CFA were applied to sample groups of 449 and 451 people, respectively. RESULTS: The Cronbach alpha coefficients for the Turkish form of the SPBS (alpha = .74) and its sunscreen (alpha = .88) and hat use (alpha = .70) subscales were found to be > or =.70 while the sun avoidance subscale was calculated to be .67. The item-total score correlation between the scale and its subscales was > or =.26 and the test-retest correlations were found to be > or =.51. The CFA results verified the 8-item, 3-factor Turkish version of the SPBS. The confirmatory factor loadings for the scale were .45-.80 for sun avoidance, .72-.93 for sunscreen use, and .66-.83 for hat use. In particular, SPBS and sunscreen use (p < .001) exhibited significantly high mean scores among girls and economically better backgrounds (p = .007, p < .001, respectively). In addition, SPBS (p = .004) and hat use (p < .001) revealed that the mean scores were significantly high in younger adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: The SPBS was found to be valid and reliable and its psychometric characteristics acceptable. The scale can be used to measure the behavior of Turkish adolescent populations with respect to sun protection.
Adolescent ; Child ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; *Health Behavior ; Humans ; Male ; Psychometrics/*methods ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sunscreening Agents/*therapeutic use ; Surveys and Questionnaires/*standards ; Turkey

OBJECTIVES: Unprotected leisure time exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial tanning beds is the most important environmental risk factor for melanoma, a malignant skin cancer with increasing incidences over the past decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of skin health information provided by several sources and different publishing issues on knowledge, risk perception, and sun protective behavior of sunbathers. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among Austrian residents (n=563) spending leisure time outdoors in August 2010. RESULTS: Print media, television, and family were perceived as the most relevant sources of information on skin health, whereas the source physician was only ranked as fourth important source. Compared to other sources, information provided by doctors positively influenced participants' knowledge on skin risk and sun protective behavior resulting in higher scores in the knowledge test (p=0.009), higher risk perception (p<0.001), and more sun protection (p<0.001). Regarding gender differences, internet was more often used by males as health information source, whereas females were more familiar with printed information material in general. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this survey put emphasis on the demand for information provided by medical professionals in order to attain effective, long-lasting promotion of photoprotective habits.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Health Behavior ; *Health Education ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Melanoma/*prevention & control ; Middle Aged ; Public Health ; Questionnaires ; Risk Factors ; Skin Neoplasms/*prevention & control ; Sunburn/prevention & control ; Sunscreening Agents/therapeutic use ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Young Adult