O'Riordan DL, Geller AC, Brooks DR, Zhang Z, Miller DR. Sunburn reduction through parental role modeling and sunscreen vigilance.
J Pediatr 2003;
142:67-72. [PMID:
12520258 DOI:
10.1067/mpd.2003.mpd039]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES
To identify characteristics associated with child sunburn experience and sun protection practices, including parent and child demographics, phenotype, and sun-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors.
STUDY DESIGN
A nationally representative telephone survey conducted in 1999 with 651 parents of children 5 to 12 years of age to collect data relating to the sun-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the parent and child.
RESULTS
Nearly half of parents (49%) and children (44%) were sunburnt during the previous summer. Parents who reported that they had been sunburnt were more likely to have children who had been sunburnt (OR = 2.9, 95% CI = 2.0, 4.2). Conversely, parents with a high level of sun protection behavior were less likely to report being sunburnt (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4, 0.9), and their children were more likely to have a high level of sun protection behavior (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 2.0, 4.6) and sunscreen vigilance (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.7, 4.5). High sunscreen vigilance was associated with a 60% reduction in child sunburning.
CONCLUSIONS
The sunburn experience and sun protection practices of children (5-12 years of age) are closely linked to a number of modifiable attitudes and behaviors of their parents. Therefore the inclusion of parents and care givers in interventions targeting children may increase program efficacy.
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