Abstract
Objectives: This paper describes the sun-related behaviour of parents and their children, ages 5–12 years.
Methods: In-person interviews were conducted with parents and observations of parents and their children to ascertain: 1) parents’ self-reported use of sunscreen, 2) parent-proxy reports of children’s sunscreen use, and 3) observations of parents’ and children’s use of shade, hats and protective clothing. Data collection took place at freshwater beaches in BC’s Southern Interior, between 12 pm and 5 pm, over a seven-day period during August 1999.
Results: 94 parents were interviewed and observed. Parent-proxy reports and observational data were collected on 161 children. Half (53%) of parents reported they were wearing sunscreen at the time of the on-beach interview. Most (65%) of parents reported that their children were wearing sunscreen at the time of the on-beach interview. Children’s first application of sunscreen took place on average 1.5 hours prior to interview. Most parents (86%) reported that their children’s sunscreen had not been reapplied at the time of interview. Few parents (13%) or children (5%) used shade as provided by nearby trees or umbrellas.
Conclusion: Public education should emphasize sunscreen re-application. Actions should be taken to enhance the convenient use of shade structures at public beaches.
Résumé
Objectifs: L’étude décrit le comportement de parents et d’enfants de 5 à 12 ans à l’égard de l’exposition solaire.
Méthode: Nous avons mené des entretiens directs avec des parents et observé des parents avec leurs enfants pour déterminer: 1) l’utilisation d’écrans solaires (parents et enfants) selon les déclarations des parents; 2) l’utilisation d’écrans solaires (enfants seulement) selon les déclarations des mandataires de parents; 3) l’utilisation d’endroits ombragés, de chapeaux et de vêtements protecteurs (parents et enfants) selon nos propres observations. Nous avons recueilli ces données sur les plages d’eau douce de l’intérieur sud de la Colombie-Britannique pendant sept jours, entre midi et 17 h, en août 1999.
Résultats: Nous avons interrogé et observé 94 parents, recueilli les rapports de mandataires et observé directement le comportement de 161 enfants. La moitié (53 %) des parents déclaraient s’être enduits d’un écran solaire lors de l’entretien sur la plage. La plupart (65 %) ont déclaré que leurs enfants portaient un écran solaire durant l’entretien. La première application d’écran solaire aux enfants avait eu lieu en moyenne une heure et demie avant. La plupart des parents (86 %) disaient ne pas avoir réappliqué d’écran solaire à leurs enfants au moment de l’entretien. Peu de parents (13 %) et encore moins d’enfants (5 %) s’abritaient sous des parasols ou à l’ombre des arbres tout proches.
Conclusion: L’information destinée au public devrait insister sur le besoin de réappliquer les écrans solaires. Il faudrait installer davantage de structures couvertes dans des endroits facilement accessibles sur les plages publiques.
Footnotes
Acknowledgements: This research is funded by the British Columbia Health Research Foundation.
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