“Self and parent-assessed skin cancer risk factors in school-age children”

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sunburn, sun sensitivity factors and sun protection behavior in school-age children. METHODS: 2002 to 2004 survey of 2942 children in primary schools of Valencia, Spain, and their parents, using a self-administered questionnaire filled by the children with the help of their parents. RESULTS: Having a fair skin (OR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.38-3.04), light coloured eyes (OR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.12-1.68), freckles (OR: 1.32; 95% CI:1.12-1.56), and older age (OR: 2.34; 95% CI:1.96-2.80) were associated with occurrence of sunburns. Hair color, gender, use of sunscreens, wearing T-shirts and sunglasses were not. Wearing hats (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.54-0.75) was inversely associated. Parents were significantly more inclined to protect younger and fair-skinned children with sunscreen and T-shirts. CONCLUSIONS: As expected, phenotype is related to sunburns and appears to influence parent's sun protection behaviours.