Study of sunbathing in children: the preliminary evaluation of a prevention program.
OBJECTIVE
Sunburn during childhood is associated with an increased risk for developing melanoma in an adult age. The aim of the present study was to define the validity of our educational program in order to teach the positive effects and risks of sun exposure during childhood.


METHODS
We conducted a population-based, case-control study in primary schools of three towns in Northern Italy (Brescia, Bergamo and Trento) between 2001 and 2002. The study was carried out on 1945 pupils (aged 8-9 years) and included 1309 case children who received an educational program before the summer to increase awareness towards sun exposure and 636 control children who did not. Parents of case and control children were interviewed using a questionnaire about their children's skin characteristics, sun protective behavior and sunburns. The questionnaire was completed twice, before and after the summer, to verify the changes of sun exposure habits.


RESULTS
A significant decrease in sunburns was demonstrated in the group of subjects who received the educational program, indicating the validity of our operative procedure (from 14.6% to 10%, P = 4 x 10(-4).


CONCLUSIONS
Our educational melanoma program may be important to disseminate in a wider range of children a correct education on sun exposure during childhood.
Manganoni
Ausilia Maria
AM
Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy. melanoma@osp.unibs.it
Cainelli
Tullio
T
Zumiani
Giuseppe
G
Bufalino
Rosaria
R
Calzavara-Pinton
Piergiacomo
P
Camerini
Tiziana
T
Tucci
Giovanna
G
Baldi
Marzia
M
Venturini
Marina
M
Marini
Giovanni
G
Cascinelli
Natale
N
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D010858:Pigmentation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D044469:Racial Groups; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D013471:Sunburn / Q000150:complications* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires