The Sun Exposure and Protection Index (SEPI) is a validated scoring instrument for assessment of sun habits and sun protection behaviour. It conists of two parts; part I addressing the present behaviour, and part II addressing propensity to increase sun protection, based on the Transtheoretical Model of Behaviour Change. It was initially validated in in two languages (English and Swedish), as well as in two ultraviolet radiation environments (Australia and Sweden) and two different population groups (students and primary care patients). It has since then been translated and validated in several languages.
SEPI can preferably be used as an individual risk assessment tool to identify riskful sun exposure habits and to communicate tailored sun protection advice. It may also serve as an instrument for quantitative evaluation of behaviour change in research, e.g. to evaluate the effect of interventions to increase sun protection.
Present sun exposure habits (part I)
Part I of SEPI includes 8 questions, concluding in a total score ranging from 0 – 32 points, a high score reflecting a riskful behaviour in the sun.
Propensity to increase sun protection (part II)
Part II of SEPI includes 5 questions, concluding in a total score ranging from 0 – 20 points, a high score reflecting a low propensity to increase sun protection.
The full article, describing the validation process, can be accessed online here:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877782115002337
References to SEPI validated in other languages can be found here.
SEPI is free to use. If doing so, the following original reference should be used in publications:
Detert H, Hedlund S, Anderson CD, Rodvall Y, Whiteman DC, Falk M. Validation of Sun Exposure and Protection Index (SEPI) for estimation of sun habits. Cancer Epidemiol 2015; 39(6): 986-993.
