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Reasons for tanning bed use: a survey of community college students in North Carolina.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Neenan, A; Lea, CS; Lesesky, EB
Published in: N C Med J
2012

BACKGROUND: Tanning bed use is classified as carcinogenic and is associated with an increased risk of skin cancer. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to identify the most commonly stated reasons for tanning bed use among a sample of male and female community college students in eastern North Carolina. METHODS: A brief, self-administered survey was distributed to students during English, Art, or Psychology class periods in 5 eastern North Carolina community colleges during the 2010 fall semester. RESULTS: The 95% response rate consisted of 487 returned surveys. Of the 487 respondents, 12.7% (N = 62) were current users, 24.5% (N = 119) were past users, and 62.2% (N = 303) reported never using tanning beds. Women (79%) were more likely than men (18%) to be current or former tanning bed users. Three African Americans reported current tanning bed use (4.8%). Reasons for tanning bed use were similar among men and women, with "I think I look better when I am tan" being the most commonly cited reason (70.2%) for tanning bed use. LIMITATIONS: A convenience sample limits generalizability to all North Carolina students attending community college. CONCLUSIONS: Current tanning bed use was not widely reported. However, educational strategies for preventing tanning bed initiation or recurrence among male and female community college students should include appearance-driven factors.

Duke Scholars

Published In

N C Med J

ISSN

0029-2559

Publication Date

2012

Volume

73

Issue

2

Start / End Page

89 / 92

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Sunbathing
  • Students
  • North Carolina
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Beds
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Neenan, A., Lea, C. S., & Lesesky, E. B. (2012). Reasons for tanning bed use: a survey of community college students in North Carolina. N C Med J, 73(2), 89–92.
Neenan, Ashley, C Suzanne Lea, and Erin B. Lesesky. “Reasons for tanning bed use: a survey of community college students in North Carolina.N C Med J 73, no. 2 (2012): 89–92.
Neenan A, Lea CS, Lesesky EB. Reasons for tanning bed use: a survey of community college students in North Carolina. N C Med J. 2012;73(2):89–92.
Neenan, Ashley, et al. “Reasons for tanning bed use: a survey of community college students in North Carolina.N C Med J, vol. 73, no. 2, 2012, pp. 89–92.
Neenan A, Lea CS, Lesesky EB. Reasons for tanning bed use: a survey of community college students in North Carolina. N C Med J. 2012;73(2):89–92.

Published In

N C Med J

ISSN

0029-2559

Publication Date

2012

Volume

73

Issue

2

Start / End Page

89 / 92

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Sunbathing
  • Students
  • North Carolina
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Beds