Children's understanding of sun protection behaviours: a comparative analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate awareness of sun protection behaviours in a sample of primary school children in New Zealand.


METHODS
Information was collected from 824 primary school children in New Zealand using a drawing and writing technique.


RESULTS
The data revealed a bias towards sunscreen as a method of sun protection compared with other methods such as clothing and the use of shade. Comparisons between results obtained from children resident in Australia and England indicated a greater awareness of sun protection methods amongst the children from Australia and New Zealand compared with those children living in England.


CONCLUSIONS
Children as young as 5 and 6 can describe the consequences of overexposure to the sun, and can illustrate methods of sun protection. Sunscreen is seen as the main method of sun protection.
Morris
J
J
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Bandaranayake
M
M
McGee
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009520:New Zealand; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013473:Sunscreening Agents