title: Sun-Smart Practices Amongst School Students (Grades 5, 7, and 9) in Alberta, Canada.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the current knowledge children possess on melanoma and sun-protective behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  A one-page survey was administered to students in grades 5, 7, and 9.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred ninety-two students from 11 schools in Edmonton were surveyed. Seventy-one percent of students knew that sun exposure can cause skin cancers. Sixty-nine percent were taught by their parents about sun protection, but only 44% of students received similar instructions from teachers. Twenty percent of students indicated that they never or rarely wore sunscreen. Twenty-five percent of students had experienced painful sunburns, and only 46% were willing to use sunscreen if it were available at school. More Caucasian students reported painful or peeling sunburns in each grade level than their non-Caucasian peers (for grade 5, P = .003; for grade 7, P < .0001; for grade 9, P = .001). For all grade levels, the percentage of Caucasian students who indicated that they would not wear sunscreen when going out in the sun was greater than among their non-Caucasian peers (for grade 5, P < .001; for grade 7, P = .003; for grade 9, P = .015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A comprehensive and focused approach to sun-smart education is recommended for students.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Divya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Shankar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jha
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Medical Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Sunita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ghosh
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smylie
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Dermatology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Muba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taher
mesh_terms: D000416:Alberta / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: awareness; skin cancer; sun-safe behaviours