Sun protection practices for children: knowledge, attitudes, and parent behaviors.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the frequency with which sun protection is used by parents for their children.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Descriptive survey conducted at a university medical clinic in Florida.

PARTICIPANTS

Parents of children aged 1 to 16 years were approached in the waiting area, and 77 of 100 were successfully interviewed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Parents' self-reported use of sun protection measures for their children and their attitudes and beliefs about sun protection.

RESULTS

Fewer than half of respondents (43%) reported regularly using sun protection for their child. Regular use of sun protection was reported more frequently by female caretakers and those with more favorable attitudes regarding sun protection use. Sunscreen was the most frequently used measure, and preventing sunburn was the primary reason for using sun protection. Respondents held several unfavorable sun protection attitudes, including the belief that sun exposure was healthy, that children looked better with a tan, and that it was okay to stay out in the sun longer if the child wore sunscreen.

CONCLUSIONS

Regular use of sun protection for children is infrequent and consists primarily of applying sunscreen rather than methods that reduce sun exposure. Parents primarily use sunscreen to prevent sunburn and may increase their children's overall sun exposure as a result.