Skin cancer risk factors among primary school children: investigations in Western Hungary.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the factors associated with sunburns and with sun protection practice in Hungarian primary school children.


METHODS
We investigated children's (the median age: 8, range 5 to 12 years) and parents' assessment of sun sensitivity and sun protection characteristics in cities Gyor and Zalaegerszeg (Hungary) in 2004. This cross-sectional study was part of a programme intended to increase children's and parents' awareness of harmful effects of excessive sunbathing. Analyses were based on 1804 multiple choice questionnaires.


RESULTS
At multivariate analysis a significant association between sunburns and fairness of complexion, freckles, use of sunscreens and T-shirts, and higher school-class level was observed. Sunburn was inversely associated with hat-wearing. Parents were more likely to apply sunscreen to children with light eyes and to the younger ones, to protect fair skinned children with T-shirts; to protect males and children with fair skin and light eyes with hats.


CONCLUSIONS
Since environmental factors play an important role in the development of skin cancer, morbidity could be reduced by primary prevention. Sun protection habits should therefore be taught early in life, and parents' behaviour adapted. Phenotype is not only related to sunburns but it also appears to influence parents' sun safety behaviour.
Fehér
Katalin
K
Western-Transdanubian Regional Institute of National Public Health and Medical Officers' Service, Gyor, Hungary. feher.katalin@nydr.antsz.hu
Cercato
Maria Cecilia
MC
Prantner
Ida
I
Dombi
Zsuzsanna
Z
Burkali
Bernadett
B
Paller
Judit
J
Ramazzotti
Valerio
V
Sperduti
Isabella
I
Nádasi
Edit
E
Parragi
Katalin
K
Menyhárt
Ildikó
I
Natali
Pier Giorgio
PG
Ember
István
I
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013473:Sunscreening Agents