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.


METHODS
Descriptive survey conducted at a university medical clinic in Florida.


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


METHODS
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.
Johnson
K
K
Department of Family Medicine, University of South Florida, 12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 13, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Davy
L
L
Boyett
T
T
Weathers
L
L
Roetzheim
R G
RG
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D011336:Probability; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D013473:Sunscreening Agents