Sun Protection and Sunburn in Children Aged 1-10 Years in Germany: Prevalence and Determinants.

Olaf Gefeller,Katharina Diehl,Annette B Pfahlberg,Eckhard W Breitbart,Tatiana Görig,Corinna Södel

doi:10.3390/children8080668

Abstract

Seeking shade, the use of textile sun protection and sunscreen, and protecting one’s eyes by wearing sunglasses are recommended sun protection measures in children. We aimed to quantify the use of these measures as well as the prevalence of sunburn in children aged 1 to 10 years in Germany and to identify their determinants. Data collected via telephone interviews in a nationwide sample of 554 parents or caregivers in family were analyzed. Use of sunscreen was the most common measure applied (77.8%), while sunglasses were least frequently used (12.5%). The prevalence of sunburn during the past year was 21.8%, and it was positively associated with children’s age. The use of sun protection measures was significantly associated with the age and skin color of the child, while characteristics and tanning behaviors of the caregivers only played a minor role. The use of sun protection measures was higher when caregivers perceived themselves as a role model (Odds Ratio (OR) = 4.33, p < 0.001). Our nationwide data show that there remains a need for the improved use of sun protection measures, especially in children aged 7 to 10 years. In educational material, parents should be encouraged to become positive role models for their children regarding sun protection.

Highlights

Today, skin cancers—including cutaneous melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas— are the most common incident cancers worldwide [1]
The majority perceived themselves as a role model for their children regarding sun protection (84.3%; Table 1)
There remains a need for sun protection improvement, especially in children between seven and ten years, since almost one in four children of this age was reported to experience sunburn, and we found a decrease in the use of sun protection measure with the increasing age of the children

Summary

Introduction

Skin cancers—including cutaneous melanoma and keratinocyte carcinomas— are the most common incident cancers worldwide [1]. Proper sun protection behaviors can help to reduce skin cancer morbidity and mortality [2]. In order to reduce the skin cancer incidence, sun protection should be started as early in life as possible [5]. Several studies have identified childhood and early adolescence to be a period in life during which a relatively higher cumulative amount of UV radiation is acquired than during adulthood [6,8]. Especially young children cannot protect themselves and depend on their parents [11], who play an important role for sun protection during childhood. Parents can act as a role model for their children with their attitudes towards sun protection but especially with their own sun protection behavior [12,13,14,15]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion