Sun protection among parents and children at freshwater beaches.
OBJECTIVE
This paper describes the sun-related behaviour of parents and their children, ages 5-12 years.


METHODS
In-person interviews were conducted with parents and observations of parents and their children to ascertain: 1) parents' self-reported use of sunscreen, 2) parent-proxy reports of children's sunscreen use, and 3) observations of parents' and children's use of shade, hats and protective clothing. Data collection took place at freshwater beaches in BC's Southern Interior, between 12 pm and 5 pm, over a seven-day period during August 1999.


RESULTS
94 parents were interviewed and observed. Parent-proxy reports and observational data were collected on 161 children. Half (53%) of parents reported they were wearing sunscreen at the time of the on-beach interview. Most (65%) of parents reported that their children were wearing sunscreen at the time of the on-beach interview. Children's first application of sunscreen took place on average 1.5 hours prior to interview. Most parents (86%) reported that their children's sunscreen had not been reapplied at the time of interview. Few parents (13%) or children (5%) used shade as provided by nearby trees or umbrellas.


CONCLUSIONS
Public education should emphasize sunscreen re-application. Actions should be taken to enhance the convenient use of shade structures at public beaches.
Shoveller
Jean A
JA
UBC Department of Health Care & Epidemiology, Centre for Community Child Health Research, BC Research Institute for Children's & Women's Health. jshovell@interchange.ubc.ca
Savoy
Daphné M
DM
Roberts
Robynn E
RE
D000328:Adult; D001493:Bathing Beaches; D001955:British Columbia; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005618:Fresh Water; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009679:Nuclear Family; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012646:Self Administration; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D013473:Sunscreening Agents