Childhood Sun Exposure: Parental Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, accounting for about 700,000 new cases annually or approximately one-third of all new cancer cases. Sun exposure is a serious risk factor for skin cancer, particularly that which results in severe sunburn during childhood. Reducing sun exposure in early childhood, however, is dependent on sun protective behaviors undertaken by parents or caretakers on behalf of their young children. The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of parents concerning the sun exposure of their young children and the relationship between these variables and the behaviors parents adopt on behalf of their children. A 48-item researcher-developed questionnaire containing demographic items and items assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors relating to sun exposure was completed by 470 parents of young children while waiting to be seen by a pediatrician in a large general pediatric practice in the southeast. Data analysis revealed that parents possessed high levels of knowledge about sun exposure, use of sunscreens, and adult skin cancer risk reduction; however, many were not aware of the skin cancer risks associated with sun exposure during early childhood and were uninformed about the meaning and implications of SPF. Parents exhibited the most sun protection on behalf of their children by limiting their child's sun exposure but were less likely to enforce protective behaviors when their child was already in the sun. Parents not personally engaged in at-risk sun exposure behaviors were less likely to consider sun protective behaviors on behalf of their children. This study has implications for health education regarding the need to develop educational strategies targeting parents of young children, particularly parents who avoid intentional sun exposure.