Factors associated with cessation of sunbed use among Danish women

Sunbed use is a known risk factor for malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer. This study characterizes current and past female Danish sunbed users for the purpose of finding factors leading to cessation of sunbed use.

An online questionnaire was distributed via social media and email on February 25, 2014. 561 women responded.

Sunbed use was found to be associated with smoking, light and light brown skin colour, and knowledge about the risks associated with sunbed use. Motivation for tanning was found to be increased attractiveness. Factors associated with cessation were: age above 24, medium to high level of education, non-smoking, not being bothered by appearing white on the beach, and being unconcerned about friends' sunbed use. Binary logistic regression further showed a significant association between cessation and low income, after adjusting for age. The most indicated reason for cessation was fear of skin cancer.

Sunbed use could possibly be reduced by introducing a lower age limit of 18 and demanding staffed tanning salons. The age limit would allow young people to become more mature and self-confident before deciding on using a sunbed. Our results suggest that future interventions and campaigns against the use of sunbeds should target young women with no or little postschool education.