Summertime scorcher: Assessing and promoting sunscreen protection in an amusement park setting

Background/Purpose: Intense, intermittent exposure, the kind of exposure associated with attending an amusement park for example, is correlated with the development of basal cell carcinoma and melanoma. The goals of this study were to assess the use of the station by visitors and to identify opportunities to increase the utilization of the sunscreen station. Methods: The study was a descriptive observational study of attendees at an amusement park in Pennsylvania. The study included a paper survey and observation of the station for frequency of use. Results: The station was very infrequently used; observation showed that 0.9% (8/879) of attendees in proximity used the station. There were numerous suggestions from attendees about increased utilization by improved station signage and locations as well as station advertising. Surveys were collected from 283 attendees and 59% (n=165) had used sunscreen on the day of the study and 29% (n=81) reported typical sunscreen use as 'Never' or 'Rarely' used. Once visitors were made aware of the station, 76% (201/263) reported that they would utilize it. Conclusion: This study showed that sunscreen use at an amusement park can be improved, especially among men and young adults. Therefore, men and younger visitors need to be purposefully encouraged in advertising and marketing the sunscreen stations.