Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40500885›Full record

ArticlePhotodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine2025

Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Sunscreen and Sun Protection Practices Among South Asians in British Columbia: A Survey Study.

Harman Toor, Mahtab S Gill, Tashmeeta Ahad

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Photodermatology, photoimmunology & photomedicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Harman ToorDepartment of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6434-4780
Mahtab S GillFaculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Tashmeeta AhadDepartment of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

background/purposeSouth Asians form a substantial proportion of Canada's Skin of Color (SOC) population, yet limited knowledge exists about their sun protection beliefs, attitudes, and practices. This study aimed to explore these factors.

methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted from April to October 2024 to evaluate sun protection factors among South Asian adults in British Columbia. Sixty-two participants were recruited, with a 90% response rate, using convenience sampling through outreach events and social media.

resultsMost were born in Canada or South Asia, and 41% were aged 25-34 years. More females (43%) used sunscreen daily compared to males (12%). Although 69% believed in sun protection health benefits, 30% rarely or never wore sunscreen. Motivators included preventing sunburn (68%), maintaining youthful skin (65%), and reducing skin cancer risk (63%). A minority (25%) used sun protection to achieve a lighter skin complexion. Most were unsure if religious coverings provided adequate protection. Social media (41%) was the most common source of information. Barriers included forgetfulness (69%), low perceived risk (41%), discomfort (24%), and cosmetic concerns (17%) like "white cast" (61%). Preferences for organic versus inorganic sunscreens were mixed.

conclusionMost valued sun protection for health, preventing sunburn, photoaging, and reducing skin cancer risk, despite lower baseline risk relative to those with European ancestry. Social media presents an opportunity for targeted outreach. Australia has recently tailored sunscreen recommendations based on skin type, recognizing variability in risks and sun protective needs among their diverse population. Similar approaches could be considered in Canada to better address the needs of SOC populations.

Indexed as

Health Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeSkin NeoplasmsSunburnSunscreening AgentsAdultBritish ColumbiaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSouth Asian PeopleSurveys and QuestionnairesSunscreening AgentsAsian peopleattitudesCanadahealth knowledgepracticepublic healthsunscreening agents

Identifiers

PMID40500885
PMCPMC12159280

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.