Correlations between reported and measured ultraviolet radiation exposure of mothers and young children

Cumulative and intermittent sun exposure are risk factors for skin cancer, highlighting the need to monitor exposure during childhood. There is curren tly very little available information concerning the accuracy of self-repor ted levels of sun exposure, particularly for very young children. in this s tudy, UV radiation (UVR) exposure measured by polysulfone dosimeters worn o n the wrist was compared with a measure of estimated exposure using a diary based on recall at the end of the 4 day study period and ambient dosimetri c measures. Results of the study indicate that the relative UVR exposures e xpressed as a fraction of daily total ambient received during the 4 day per iod by young children and mothers are similar, A high level of association was obtained fur the estimated levels of exposure between young children an d their mothers, Moderate correlations were evident for dosimeter readings of mother and child on weekends with, no significant association on weekday s. The association between estimated exposure and dosimeter readings was po or and needs improvement, This may be achieved by greater consideration of structural and environmental factors that influence the levels of UVR expos ure received by individuals and by increasing the level of specificity in t he measurement instruments. Methodological issues such as recall of exposur e after several days, quantity of sun exposure and more precise measurement of grades of exposure when outside may have more impact than previously ex pected, and further information is being sought with a larger sample for ex posure during the summer months.