MOTHERS KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES RELATED TO SUN PROTECTION IN GREECE

We attempted to estimate the level of Greek mothers' knowledge relatin g to the harmful effects of sunlight and whether this knowledge led to protective measures for them and their children. Between September an d November 1993, 315 mothers were randomly selected from the outpatien t department of our hospital and interviewed by questionnaire about th emselves and their children (56% boys, 44% girls, ages 1-12 yrs). Know ledge was estimated by an index score that for 28% of the mothers was considered poor, for 50% moderate, for 16% good, and for only 6% very good or excellent. The score was positively associated with parent edu cation, urban residence, mother's job relevant to the cosmetics indust ry or the mass media, and history of sunburn in one or both parents. S cores were also established for sunlight-protective measures taken for themselves (28% poor, 45% moderate, 27% just good) and for their chil dren (24% poor, 46% moderate, 30% just good). These scores were signif icantly associated only with mothers' knowledge of sun protection. Mot hers who used sun protection for themselves also applied it to their c hildren. This study shows that mothers in Greece should be encouraged both to increase their knowledge of sun protection and steadily incorp orate it into their lifestyle.