[The habits and perceptions of participants in water and other outdoor activities in terms of risk behaviors]. / Comportements et croyances des amateurs d'activités nautiques et de plein air. Etude sur les comportements et les perceptions des risques à la santé.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore the habits and perceptions of participants in water and other outdoor activities in terms of health risk behaviours. METHOD: A survey was undertaken of 1,200 users of a river in the Greater Montreal area. RESULTS: Only about 30% of respondents used some form of protection against the sun during every outing. Fewer respondents who used some form of motorized water craft wore personal flotation devices (PFDs) compared with those who used non-motorized water craft (63% vs. 83%). Almost half of the respondents avoided all contact with water unfit for swimming, and this was the only instance of behaviour influenced by a perception of serious health risks. The data also indicate that men and respondents under 25 years of age are not inclined to practise the safe behaviours studied. INTERPRETATION: These results suggest that effective interventions must be developed for the population in general and for certain sub-groups in particular in order to promote the adoption of safe behaviours during water and other outdoor activities.

[Behavior and beliefs in amateur open water activities. Study of beliefs and attitudes with respect to health risks]. / Comportements et croyances des amateurs d'activités nautiques et de plein air. Etude sur les croyances et les attitudes vis-à-vis des risques à la santé.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore beliefs, attitudes and suggestions concerning effective interventions to promote the use of sun protection, the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) and the avoidance of contact with water unfit for swimming. METHOD: Interviews were conducted with 36 users and 2 river park activity coordinators on a river in the Greater Montreal area. RESULTS: The respondents recognized the existence of a certain number of negative beliefs and barriers associated with the adoption of safe behaviours, in particular the pointlessness and inconvenience of means of protection against the sun and the wearing of PFDs, the negligible effects of polluted water on health and the thrill of defying bans. To help change beliefs, attitudes and behaviours, the respondents suggested legislative, organizational and individual interventions. INTERPRETATION: The data gathered during this study will help to determine intervention strategies and to set up programs promoting behavioural change among the target population.