Validation of self-reported sun exposure against electronic ultraviolet radiation dosimeters

Ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure is the main risk factor for skin cancer1 and skin cancer prevention research and health promotion programme evaluation relies on the accurate measurement of sun exposure using questionnaires. However, most previous studies have not had sufficient sample size to assess questionnaire measurement validity for different population subgroups and for different times of day. In this study, using data from the baseline measures in a randomized–controlled trial,2 we aimed to validate a self-reported questionnaire measure of sun exposure for different population subgroups and for different times of day against objective electronic UV dosimeters in a large Australian population-based sample (n = 896).