Influence of caregivers and their sun exposure habits on children's photoprotection

Introduction: sun exposure during childhood is the most determining etiological factor for the development of skin neoplasms in adulthood. The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed six basic photoprotection measures in 2002. The objective is to analyze the relationship and influence of caregivers and their sun exposure habits on those applied to children.

Material and methods: cross-sectional study on photoprotective habits of 163 caregivers and their children (1-14 yo), obtained through two validated surveys completed by the caregiver.

Results: the mean degree of fulfillment in children with the six WHO photoprotection measures was 2.3/4. In caregivers, the degree of fulfillment was higher in the case of being male, from a European country, with higher education level and with very light skin. Accomplishment is significantly lower as the number of hours a day they sunbathe on the beach and the number of burns increases. With regard to the minor, there is greater accomplishment if they attend early childhood education, have a type I phototype, go to the beach or swimming pool a greater number of days a year and for more hours a day and have fewer burns.

Conclusions: fulfillment with the basic measures in our population is relatively low, reflecting the proportional relationship existing with the habits of their parents, so it is essential to carry out prevention strategies aimed at parents to promote healthy sun exposure habits in the generations to come.