Introduction: Currently, there are no published reports to identify gaps in the sun protection practices of university students in Australia to guide future sun protection campaigns

Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed undergraduate university students’ use of five sun protection practices (sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, shade and clothing) whilst outdoors. Emails containing links to the online questionnaire were sent to 3341 randomly selected students from all academic areas aged 18-24 years. Those who travelled to a winter location were excluded. The response rate was 19% and 507 students met the inclusion criteria.

Results: Mean age of the sample was of 20.5 years (Standard deviation ±1.9). Any method of sun protection was used always or often by 32% of respondents. Majority used <3 methods at a given time. Commonest method used was shade (58%) while the least was hat (8%). Domestic students (44%) used sunglasses significantly more than the international students (23%) (p<0.05) while female students used sunscreen (48%) and sunglasses (37%) significantly more than male students (33% and 23% respectively) (p<0.05).  In the 22-24 year age group non-medical students (53.9%) used sunglasses more than the medical students (36%) (p <0.05). There were no other statistically significant differences.

Conclusions/Implications: Our cross-sectional study reported a low use of sun protection methods of ANU undergraduate students in the last fortnight of summer. These findings suggest the study sample had an increased risk of sun damage and development of skin cancer.