Direct measurement of sun protection in primary schools

Background. "Kidskin" is an intervention study involving children at 33 pri mary schools in Perth, Western Australia. This study includes measurement o f changes in implementation of schools' sun protection policies. This paper reports on measurement of observable aspects of sun protection. Methods. Hat use was assessed from videos of children in the playground. Sh ade use was measured using UVR sensitive polysulfone badges worn by a rando m sample of children. Shade provision was measured from aerial photographs of the schools. Principals were surveyed about school policies and practice s. Results. Eighty-seven percent of children wore a hat during lunch time at s chool, although only 14% wore the most protective styles of hats. The mean proportion of ambient UVR exposure received by Year 1 children was 15.5%; c hildren spent less time in the sun on sunnier days. On average, 14.5% of th e playground was shaded; this was not associated with children's sun exposu re. Correlations between these results and the principals' estimates were p oor. Conclusions. Children should be encouraged to wear more protective styles o f hats and to avoid sun exposure, even on less sunny days during spring and summer. Principals' estimates of shade provision and children's sun protec tion behavior at school are of little value. (C) 1999 American Health Found ation and Academic Press.