Mothers’ Attitudes Toward Sun Protection for Children Aged 3-6 Years

Öz

Objective: Reducing ultraviolet radiation exposure is important for preventing skin cancer. Parents’ behaviors can reduce the risk of their children developing skin cancer in the future. In this study we evaluated the knowledge and attitudes of mothers with children aged 3-6 years regarding sun protection behaviors. Methods: The study was conducted at the Family Medicine outpatient clinics of Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital in Turkey. A data form with 20 questions was administered to the participants which assesses demographic data, attitudes toward sun protection, sources of sun-related information, and knowledge about sunscreen. A p-value<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The study included 278 participants with a mean age of 33.05 years. Of them, 61.2% (n: 170) had at least a high school education, 30.2% (n: 84) were white-collar workers, and 12.6% (n: 35) were blue-collar workers. While 87.2% (n: 242) reported taking sun protection measures, 60.4% (n: 168) used sunscreen for their children. The most common method was wearing a hat (82.7%, n: 230). The mean knowledge score was 10.14 ± 3.92 (min: 0, max: 18), No one could give correct answers to the questions. The most frequently incorrect item was “sunscreen should only be used in summer.” Most mothers’ source of information were healthcare professionals (%71, n: 199). Mothers who had more than one child, had higher education, and were white-collar workers had higher scores (p< 0.05). Sunscreen users had higher knowledge scores than non-users (p< 0.05). Conclusions: While most mothers reported taking sun protection measures, their knowledge was insufficient. Healthcare professionals, as a key source of information for mothers, should be more educating them during the routine follow-ups.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Children
• parents
• sun-related behaviors
• sun protection

Kaynakça

1. World Cancer Research Fund. Cancer Facts and Figures 2021. World Cancer Research Fund International. 2021. p. 1-4. Available at: https://www.wcrf.org/cancer-trends/worldwide-cancer-data/. google scholar
2. Thoonen K, van Osch L, Drittij R, de Vries H, Schneider F. A Qualitative Exploration of Parental Perceptions Regarding Children’s Sun Exposure, Sun Protection, and Sunburn. Front Public Health. 2021;9:596253. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.596253. google scholar
3. Suozzi K, Turban J, Girardi M. Focus: Skin: Cutaneous Photoprotection: A Review of the Current Status and Evolving Strategies. Yale J Biol Med. 2020;93(1):55. google scholar
4. Merin KA, Shaji M, Kameswaran R. A Review on Sun Exposure and Skin Diseases. Indian J Dermatol. 2022;67(5):625. doi: 10.4103/ijd. ijd_1092_20. google scholar
5. Dadlani C OS. Planning for a brighter future: a review of sun protection and barriers to behavioral change in children and adolescents. Dermatol Online J. 2008;14(9):1. google scholar
6. Stanton WR, Janda M, Baade PD, Anderson P. Primary prevention of skin cancer: a review of sun protection in Australia and internationally. Health Promot Int. 2004;19(3):369-378. doi:10.1093/heapro/dah310. google scholar
7. Tekbaş ÖF, Şimşek İ, Kaymak Y. Üniversite öğrencilerinin güneşten korunma ile ilgili bilgi tutum ve davranışları. Türkderm-Deri Hast ve Frengi Arşivi.2007;41(3):81-5. google scholar
8. Gandini S, Autier P, Boniol M. Reviews on sun exposure and artificial light and melanoma. Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2011;107(3):362-366. doi:10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2011.09.011. google scholar

9. Arslan A. Family in Supporting the Development of the Child in Early Childhood. Gümüşhane Univ J Health Sci. 2022;11(4):1676-1684. google scholar
10. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Sunscreen Faqs. [cited 2023 Jun 14]. Available at: https://www.aad.org/ public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/ sunscreen-faqs. google scholar
11. Kılıç S. Cronbach’ın alfa güvenirlik katsayısı. Journal of Mood Disorders. 2016;6(1):47-48. google scholar
12. Henderson SI, King KL, Karipidis KK, Tinker RA, Green AC. Effectiveness, compliance and application of sunscreen for solar ultraviolet radiation protection in Australia. Public Health Res Pract. 2022;32(1). doi:10.17061/phrp3212205. google scholar
13. Baz K, Köktürk A, İkizoğlu G, Buğdaycı R, Kaya Tİ, Koca A. Sun Protection Knowledge and Attitudes of Adults About Their Children. Turkiye Klin J Dermatol. 2003;13(2):101-107. google scholar
14. Nouri N, Iravani P, Abtahi-Naeini B. Sun protection behaviors among children aged 6-18 years old, the role of socioeconomic factors: A cross-sectional study. Health Sci Rep. 2023;6(11). doi:10.1002/hsr2.1727. google scholar
15. Balk SJ. Sun Protection. Pediatr Rev. 2023;44(4):236-239. doi:10.1542/pir.2022-005545. google scholar
16. Reinau D, Meier C, Gerber N, Hofbauer GF, Surber C. Sun protective behaviour of primary and secondary school students in North-Western Switzerland. Swiss Med Wkly. 2012;142. doi:10.4414/ smw.2012.13520 google scholar
17. Balk SJ, O’Connor KG, Saraiya M. Counseling parents and children on sun protection: a national survey of pediatricians. Pediatrics. 2004;114(4):1056-1064. doi:10.1542/peds.2004-1305. google scholar
18. Ergin A, Bozkurt Aİ, Bostancı M, Önal Ö. Assessment of knowledge and behaviors of mothers with small children on the effects of the sun on health. Pamukkale Med J. 2011;4(2):72-78. google scholar
19. Stockfleth E, Revol O. Encouraging sun protection early in life: from a successful prevention programme in children to the identification of psychological barriers in adolescents. J Eur Acad Dermatology Venereol. 2022;36(S6):12-21. doi: 10.1111/jdv.18194. google scholar
20. Edlich RF, Winters KL, Cox MJ, Becker DG, Horowitz JH, Nichter LS, et al. National Health Strategies to Reduce Sun Exposure in Australia and the United States. J Long Term Eff Med Implants. 2004;14(3):215-24. doi: 10.1615/jlongtermeffmedimplants.v14. i3.60. google scholar
21. Del Marmol V, Ortonne JP. Groundwork for the prevention of melanoma in Europe. J Eur Acad Dermatology Venereol. 2015;29(s2):1. doi: 10.1111/jdv.12947. google scholar
22. US Preventive Services Task Force; Grossman DC, Curry SJ, Owens DK, Barry MJ, Caughey AB, Davidson KW, et al. Behavioral counseling to prevent skin cancer: US preventive services task force recommendation statement. JAMA. 2018;319(11):1134-1142. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.1623. google scholar
23. Sümen A, Öncel S. The effect of ‘I am Protecting my Child from the Sun’programme on parental sun protection behaviours: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2021;77(1):387-400. doi: 10.1111/jan.14614. google scholar