Determinants of inadequate parental sun protection behaviour in their children – Results of a cross-sectional study in Germany

• Published in: International journal of hygiene and environmental health 2014-03, Vol.217 (2-3), p.363-369
• Main Authors: Klostermann, Swaantje, Bolte, Gabriele
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Air. Soil. Water. Waste. Feeding; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Emigrants and Immigrants; Environment. Living conditions; Family; Family Characteristics; Female; General aspects; Germany; Health Behavior; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Income; Male; Medical sciences; Parenting; Parents; Protective Clothing; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk Factors; Skin; Skin cancer; Skin Neoplasms - prevention & control; Sun exposure; Sunburn - prevention & control; Sunlight; Sunscreen; Sunscreening Agents; Surveys and Questionnaires; Toxicology; Ultraviolet radiation; UV index
• ISSN: 1438-4639; 1618-131X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.07.013

Unprotected sun exposure especially during childhood is a risk factor for skin cancer. A combined use of sun protection measures is recommended to protect children. However, the prevalence and determinants for combined use have been scarcely studied in children. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of parental sun protection behaviour. A cross-sectional survey was performed in five regions in Bavaria (Germany) during school entrance health examination (2010/2011). Parents of 4579 children (47% female, aged 5–6 years) completed a self-administered questionnaire (response 61%). Most children were regularly protected with single measures (shade (69%), clothes (80%), hat (83%), sunscreen (89%), sunglasses (20%)). However, regarding regular and combined use, >50% of children were inadequately protected. Larger family size, lower household equivalent income, darker skin and sunburn history were associated with inadequate use of different sun protection measures. The less frequent use of one sun protection measure was associated with less frequent use of the others. Child's sex, migration background, parental education and sun exposure showed inconsistent results regarding the different sun protection outcomes. Based on our results a regular, combined and correct use of multiple sun protection for children should be promoted independent of sociodemographic characteristics. Priority of shade, clothes and hat before sunscreen should be clarified.