Sun protection of children at the beach.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to determine the frequency with which sun protection measures are used by children at the beach. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken that combined a brief, structured interview with direct observation of the sun protection methods (sunscreen, clothing, hats, shade) used for children at a public beach in Florida. RESULTS: Of the 139 children observed, 97 (69.8%) had some form of sun protection used on all three body regions (head, torso, legs), while only 8 (5.8%) had none of the three body regions protected. Sunscreen was the most common method of sun protection (84.9%), and other methods were less frequently used (shirt 11.5%, pants 26.6%, hat 8.6%, shade 14.4%). Sun protection use differed by sex, with girls having better protection of their head and torso, and boys slightly better protection of their legs. CONCLUSIONS: Using direct observation, we found that parents frequently use sun protection measures (mainly sunscreen) for their children while at the beach. Parents primarily rely on the use of sunscreen, rather than such measures as avoiding the sun, using shade, or protective clothing.

Sun protection counseling by pediatricians.

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a pilot study in Florida to assess the extent to which caretakers reported sun protection counseling by their physicians. We also sought to determine whether caretakers who reported receiving counseling had more favorable sun protection knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. STUDY DESIGN: We sampled 100 caretakers who were attending a university pediatric clinic in Florida and obtained 77 responses. We estimated the proportion of respondents who reported receiving sun protection counseling and examined sociodemographic predictors of counseling. RESULTS: Thirty percent of caretakers reported having been counseled by their physician. Sunscreen and avoiding peak sun exposure were the most common items discussed. Among those counseled, 42.9% stated that their child's sun protection habits increased as a result of the counseling. Counseled caretakers had greater sun protection knowledge, were more likely to report regular use of sun protection for their child (68.2% vs 40.9%, P < 0.05), and were more likely to report teaching their children about sun protection (90.9% vs 63.3%, P =.02). CONCLUSIONS: Physician sun protection counseling, while infrequently reported, was associated with more favorable sun protection knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors of caretakers and their children.