Sun protection behaviours and the predictors of sunburn in young children.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the use of sun protection behaviours and the experience of sunburn in a sample of parents and their children in New Zealand.

METHODOLOGY: Information was collected from 887 parents using postal questionnaires at the beginning of and during the summer.

RESULTS

Thirty per cent of the parents believed their child looked healthier with a suntan, and 40% intended to let their child get a suntan during the summer. Predictors of intention to tan included level of parental education, the child's age, the child's sensitivity to burning and experience of sunburn in the parent. At the end of the summer period, 29% of the children were reported as being sunburned. Predictors of sunburn in the child were the age of the child, experience of sunburn in the parent and use of sunscreen SPF15+ by the parent.

CONCLUSION

Despite intense media coverage of the dangers of overexposure to the sun, it is clear that a significant proportion of children are still getting sunburned.