College Students’ Behaviors, Perceptions, Beliefs, and Attitudes Regarding Tanning Bed Use Fawna M. Playforth, BS; Laurie J. Larkin, PhD; & Laurel A. Mills, DrPH, RHIA Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Introduction Method Purpose The purpose of this research study was to identify behaviors, perceptions, beliefs, and attitudes regarding tanning bed use among college students’ ages years who attended a southeastern Kentucky University. Conclusions Results Future Directions Among the types of cancer diagnosed every year, skin cancer is the most common. Of all skin cancers diagnosed, basal and squamous cell skin cancers affect about 2.2 million and melanoma affects more than 76,000 Americans each year (ACS, 2013b). Tanning bed use has been associated with a 59% higher risk of melanoma and is particularly dangerous for people who begin tanning younger than age 35 (CDC, 2013b). The data from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey found the highest prevalence rates of indoor tanning were among white women aged (31.8%) and (29.6% (CDC, 2012). This is the traditional college age for most universities in the Midwest and south. In KY, the rate of new melanoma cases was 14 % higher than the national average during (EPA, 2010). With the lack of education interventions and policies to reduce indoor tanning, it is estimated in 2014 there will be 1,540 new cases of melanoma across the state (ACS, 2014). Participants included 252 undergraduate students enrolled in nine general health courses. Male and female students between the ages of years were asked to complete an anonymous, 45-item questionnaire either online or completing a paper survey. A consent form was included on the survey that was given to all potential participants. The Tanning Bed Survey, created and pilot tested by the researchers. included demographic information, tanning bed use behaviors, beliefs, attitudes and perceptions regarding tanning bed use and skin cancer risk. The data was collected over a span of approximately one week. After permission was acquired, the online survey link was ed to designated course instructors to forward to students. Of those who were current or past users, the majority felt that cancer prevention was important, and that they were at risk for skin cancer. Therefore, more research should assess why there is an apparent disconnect for college student’s understanding between UV-exposure and the realities of skin cancer. Stricter tanning bed legislation along with consistent skin cancer prevention education efforts in schools, communities, and at home for teens and college students are warranted. References American Cancer Society (2013b). Skin Cancer Research Updates. Retrieved from American Cancer Society (2014). Skin Cancer Facts & Figures Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Use of Indoor Tanning Devices by Adults in United States 2010.Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013b). Skin Cancer. Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency.(2010). Facts about: skin Cancer Kentucky. Retrieved from: Highlights 252 of students enrolled in 9 courses were asked to complete the survey either online or in class. Of these 252 students, 113 (45%) responded either by completing the online survey or a paper survey. Respondents were primarily female (74%) and white (95%). The majority of respondents were years of age (57%), the second age range was years (27%). The respondents older than 26 years were excluded, yielding 93 final surveys for analysis. Of this sample, 66.7% indicated they were currently using a tanning bed (53%) or had used one in the past (15%). Females comprised 89.6% of current tanning bed users and 61.5% of past tanning bed users. The majority (68.9%) of current and past users were between the ages of years. Of current and past users, 88.5% revealed that a parent was aware of their tanning bed use and 83.7% had parents who were aware of their first tanning visit. The majority (69.3%) of first-time tanning visits occurred when the student was under the 18 years of age. Of all the respondents who answered whether there should be legislation governing tanning bed use, 43.3% say they were neutral, 21.1% answered agree and 18.9% disagreed. 66.0% of current users,48.3% of non-users and 30.8% of past users agreed they were at risk for skin cancer. Although the majority of respondents (66.7%) used a tanning bed at some point in their lives, 98.9% believed that skin cancer prevention was important.