Sun protection policies and practices in New Zealand primary schools.
OBJECTIVE
For schools with primary age students, to report the percentages meeting specific requirements of the New Zealand SunSmart Schools Accreditation Programme (SSAP).


METHODS
Schools were randomly selected, within geographic regions, from the Ministry of Education schools database. A questionnaire, mailed to school principals, assessed schools regarding 12 criteria for accreditation: policy, information, hats, 'play in the shade', sunscreen, clothing, role modelling, curriculum, planning, rescheduling, shade provision and review. Post-stratification weights (for achieving each criterion) were used to compensate for oversampling within some regions and differential response rates between regions, using the number of schools per region.


RESULTS
388 schools (representative in socioeconomic decile, size and type) participated. Less than 4% fully met accreditation criteria. Clothing (42%), curriculum delivery and shade (each 54%) requirements were met by the fewest schools. Staff role modelling (92%) was the most commonly met. Schools with uniforms tended to have more protective clothing expectations.


CONCLUSIONS
Ongoing promotion is needed to consolidate gains and encourage comprehensive sun protection through policies, practices, environment and curriculum. Staff role modelling requirements may be strengthened by implementing existing occupational guidelines for mitigating UVR hazards. There is a need to further assist schools, particularly regarding sun protective clothing, curriculum delivery and environmental shade.
Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, PO Box 913, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. tony.reeder@otago.ac.nz
Anthony I
AI
Reeder
Janet A
JA
Jopson
Andrew
A
Gray
D000068:Accreditation; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003479:Curriculum; D004779:Environment Design; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006266:Health Education; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012574:Schools; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D013473:Sunscreening Agents