Sun Protection Strategies of Young Children and their Parents: A Comparative, Cross-Sectional Study from Türkiye

Öz

This study aimed to investigate the frequency of sun protection measures used by young children and their parents and evaluate the possible effect of parental knowledge and behavior on their children’s sun safety practices. A sun safety awareness test and a self-reported questionnaire survey regarding sun protection strategies, reasons and barriers for using these methods were conducted on parents of children aged 3-5 years between June and December 2023. One hundred fourty parents [median age: 35 (27-49), female:male=113:27] were included. Parents who sought advice from their physicians [14.0 (0-19)] had a higher median awareness score than those who did not [12.0 (1-18)] (p<0.05). Although 57.9% (n=81) of children were claimed to sunbathe during summer, 85% (n=119) were reported to get tanned at the end of summer. Sunscreen was the most common sun protection strategy for both children (95%) and parents (85.7%). All measures except wearing sunglasses were utilized more frequently in children than in parents. A higher application rate was observed for each strategy in children whose parents applied the same strategy for themselves (p<0.05). Motivation to prevent sunburn (72.9%) was the main encouraging factor for using protective measures, whereas forgetfulness (41%) was the main barrier. Even though parents are well aware of the negative impact of sun exposure and the importance of sun protection strategies, they need to improve their children’s sun safety practices, particularly regarding strategies other than sunscreen. Healthcare professionals, particularly physicians, should also be involved in interventions to improve parental behaviors concerning sun safety.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• child
• parents
• sun protection strategies
• sunscreen

Küçük Çocuk ve Ebeveynlerinin Güneşten Korunma Yöntemleri: Türkiye’den Karşılaştırmalı Kesitsel bir Çalışma

Öz

Bu çalışma; küçük çocuklar ve ebeveynleri tarafından kullanılan güneşten korunma yöntemlerinin sıklığını araştırmayı ve ebeveynlerin bilgi ve davranışlarının çocuklarının güneşten korunma uygulamaları üzerindeki olası etkisini değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Haziran ve Aralık 2023 tarihleri arasında 3-5 yaş aralığındaki çocukların ebeveynlerine; güneşten korunma konusunda farkındalık testi ve güneşten korunma yöntemleri, bu yöntemleri kullanmayı teşvik eden ve engelleyen faktörlere ilişkin anket uygulanmıştır. Yüz kırk ebeveyn [ortanca yaş: 35 (27-49), kadın:erkek=113:27] çalışmaya dahil edildi. Hekimlerden tavsiye alan ebeveynlerin ortanca farkındalık puanı [14,0 (0-19)] almayanlara kıyasla [12,0 (1-18)] daha yüksekti (p<0,05). Çocukların %57,9'unun (n=81) yaz aylarında güneşlendiği iddia edilmesine rağmen, %85'inin (n=119) yaz sonunda bronzlaştığı belirtildi. Güneş kremi hem çocuklar (%95) hem de ebeveynler (%85,7) için en sık kullanılan güneşten korunma yöntemiydi. Güneş gözlüğü takmak dışındaki tüm önlemler çocuklarda ebeveynlere göre daha sık uygulanmaktaydı. Ebeveynleri aynı yöntemi kendileri için uygulayan çocuklarda her yöntem için daha yüksek bir uygulama oranı gözlendi (p<0,05). Güneş yanığını önleme isteği (%72,9) koruyucu önlemlerin uygulanmasını teşvik eden ana faktör iken, unutkanlık (%41) ana engeldi. Ebeveynler güneşe maruz kalmanın olumsuz etkileri ve güneşten korunma yöntemlerinin öneminin farkında olsalar da, özellikle güneş kremi dışındaki yöntemler konusunda çocuklarına yönelik güneşten korunma uygulamalarını geliştirmeleri gerekmektedir. Başta hekimler olmak üzere sağlık çalışanları da ebeveynlerin güneşten korunmaya ilişkin davranışlarını iyileştirmeye yönelik müdahalelere dahil olmalıdır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• çocuk
• ebeveyn
• güneşten korunma yöntemleri
• güneş koruyucu

Kaynakça

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