"Self and parent-assessed skin cancer risk factors in school-age children".
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate sunburn, sun sensitivity factors and sun protection behavior in school-age children.


METHODS
2002 to 2004 survey of 2942 children in primary schools of Valencia, Spain, and their parents, using a self-administered questionnaire filled by the children with the help of their parents.


RESULTS
Having a fair skin (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.38-3.04), light coloured eyes (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.12-1.68), freckles (OR: 1.32; 95% CI:1.12-1.56), and older age (OR: 2.34; 95% CI:1.96-2.80) were associated with occurrence of sunburns. Hair color, gender, use of sunscreens, wearing T-shirts and sunglasses were not. Wearing hats (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.54-0.75) was inversely associated. Parents were significantly more inclined to protect younger and fair-skinned children with sunscreen and T-shirts.


CONCLUSIONS
As expected, phenotype is related to sunburns and appears to influence parent's sun protection behaviours.
Cercato
M C
MC
Department of Epidemiology, Italian National Cancer Institute Regina Elena, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144 Rome, Italy. cercato@ifo.it
Nagore
E
E
Ramazzotti
V
V
Guillén
C
C
Terrenato
I
I
Villena
J
J
Lomuscio
M
M
Natali
P G
PG
Schünemann
H J
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D016487:Parenting; D010641:Phenotype; D010858:Pigmentation; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D013473:Sunscreening Agents