Abstract
The Second National Sun Survey (NSS2) was carried out in 2006 to estimate ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure, sun protection and related knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among Canadians. This paper provides a detailed overview of NSS2 methods and discusses the strengths and limitations of the survey. The NSS2 consists of two questionnaires administered to two samples of adults (age 16+ years). The base sample provides in-depth information on UVR exposure, protective behaviours, tanning, and knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about sun safety for adults, as well as some sun behaviour information for a sample of their children aged 1–12 years. The shorter comparison sample facilitates direct comparison with the 1996 first national sun survey. Data were collected using computer-assisted telephone interviewing, and sample weights were computed for all respondents for estimation and analysis of both adult and child data. Base sample interviews were completed for 7,121 adults, of whom 1,437 reported on the sun behaviour of one of their children, and the comparison sample yielded 2,115 interviews. Response rates were 63% for both surveys. The NSS2 provides in-depth and up-to-date UVR exposure information among Canadians. The results of this survey will aid health promotion experts and policy-makers in developing effective programs to minimize UVR exposure. A public use data file and training in statistical analysis of the NSS2 has been made available to data analysts from across Canada. Key strengths and limitations identified in this survey will inform the development and implementation of future sun surveys.
Key words: Survey methods, ultraviolet radiation exposure, skin neoplasms
Résumé
La Deuxième Enquête nationale sur l’exposition au soleil (EES2), menée en 2006, visait à estimer l’exposition aux rayons ultraviolets (UV), l’utilisation d’une protection solaire et les connaissances, les attitudes et les croyances connexes chez les Canadiens. Dans cet article, nous décrivons en détail les méthodes de l’EES2 et nous expliquons les forces et les contraintes de l’enquête. L’EES2 comportait deux questionnaires administrés à deux échantillons d’adultes (16 ans et plus). L’échantillon de base a permis de recueillir des informations approfondies sur l’exposition aux rayons UV, les comportements de protection, le bronzage, les connaissances, attitudes et croyances concernant la protection solaire chez les adultes, ainsi que certaines informations sur les comportements au soleil d’un échantillon d’enfants des répondants âgés de 1 à 12 ans. L’échantillon de comparaison, moins nombreux, a permis de faire des comparaisons directes avec les résultats de l’EES1, menée en 1996. Les données ont été recueillies dans le cadre d’entretiens téléphoniques assistés par ordinateur, et l’on a obtenu le poids de chaque répondant afin d’estimer et d’analyser les données des adultes et des enfants. L’échantillon de base comprenait 7 121 adultes, dont 1 437 ont fourni des renseignements sur le comportement de protection d’un de leurs enfants; l’échantillon de comparaison comprenait 2 115 personnes. Le taux de réponse était de 63% pour les deux enquêtes. L’EES2 fournit des informations approfondies et à jour sur l’exposition des Canadiens aux rayons UV. Ses résultats aideront les spécialistes et les décideurs en promotion de la santé à élaborer des programmes efficaces pour réduire l’exposition aux rayons UV. Un fichier de données à usage public et une formation en analyse statistique de l’EES2 ont été offerts à des analystes de données venus de tout le Canada. Les principales forces et contraintes de cette enquête viendront étayer l’élaboration et la mise en œuvre des futures enquêtes sur l’exposition au soleil.
Mots clés: méthodes d’enquête, exposition aux rayons ultraviolets, tumeurs de la peau
Footnotes
Acknowledgements: The Second National Sun Survey was supported primarily by funds from the Canadian Cancer Society with supplemental funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, and Cancer Care Ontario. It was conducted under the auspices of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Committee, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
Conflict of Interest: None to declare.
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