SUNBURN AND SUN PROTECTION AMONG YOUNG-CHILDREN

Objective: To examine the extent of sun exposure, sun protection and e xperience of sunburn among young New Zealand children on summer weeken ds, Methods: In a telephone survey of 1243 respondents, those with chi ldren in the household were asked about sun exposure and protection fo r the youngest child in the family. Information was obtained for 285 c hildren aged from infancy to 10 years. Results: Over 90% of the childr en were reported to be outside on the preceding Saturday and/or Sunday ; 7% of those outside experienced some degree of sunburn. The worst bu rning was on the face, head, neck or ears. On either day about half th e children were wearing sunscreen and 60% were wearing a hat. Parental use of sun protection was the strongest predictor of sun protection a mong the children. Conclusions: While reports of sun protection among young children were encouraging, many children in the community are st ill at high risk of sunburn. Efforts to promote sun protection as a fa mily responsibility may reduce the experience of burning among the you ng.