Abstract
During childhood, parents play a vital role in sun protection of their children. Their guidance is essential for avoiding excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a risk factor for developing skin cancer in later life. In a population-based cross-sectional study conducted between October 2011 and February 2012, we assessed how 3281 parents implemented sun protection for their three- to six-year-old children in practice. In particular, clothing, shade-seeking behavior, wearing of sunhats and sunglasses, use of sunscreens and the amount of time spent outdoors were ascertained in two settings (beach, garden/playground). The results showed that the overall level of parental sun protection for their children in the beach setting, and to a lesser extent also in the everyday outdoor setting, is relatively high. Using sunscreens with a high sun protection factor and instructing children to wear a sunhat were very common. Lesser attention was paid to sun-protective clothing, seeking the shade and wearing sunglasses. The amount of time spent outdoors during summer days was high. Therefore, the recommendation to completely avoid sun exposure during peak UV times around noon during summertime needs to be reinforced. In addition, the observed difference in the protective behavior between the beach and an everyday outdoor setting points to the necessity to encourage better sun protection for children also in outdoor activities of daily living.
Highlights
For several decades, the incidences of malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer have been rising in all countries with fair-skinned populations including Germany [1,2,3,4]
Based on a large population-based survey in different Bavarian districts, we provided a detailed description of the current practice of sun protection of three- to six-year-old children in different outdoor settings
Our data enable a comparison of actual sun-protective behavior of parents with children aged 3–6 years with the advice given in skin cancer awareness and prevention campaigns, thereby mirroring what has been achieved by these educational activities so far
Summary
The incidences of malignant melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer have been rising in all countries with fair-skinned populations including Germany [1,2,3,4]. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various forms of skin cancer and has been established as their main environmental risk factor by numerous epidemiological and laboratory investigations [6,7]. Parents play a vital role in sun protection of their children. They serve as a role model and their educational guidance is essential for behavior-forming of their children, including sun protection [10,11,12]. Educational campaigns for increasing public awareness of skin cancer risks and providing information on sun protective behavior have focused on parents as a target group of special interest and importance [13].
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