Sun protection in children

Abstract

Background: children belong to the population group where photo protection should be extreme. They are more sensible to the negative effects of an excessive sun exposition, and they are not conscious of this risk. Ultraviolet radiation and sunburns during childhood are important risk factors for developing skin cancer at adult age. Aims: characterizing skin phototype, the information level and sun protection habits in children. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out from January to April 2015, in 70 children aged 9 years assisting the school “13 de Marzo”, of Santa Clara. The studied variables were: gender, skin phototypes, information level and sun protection habits. It was used the analysis of descriptive statistic. The research project was approved by the Research Ethic Committee. Outcomes: 38.6 % had Type III skin phototype; 52.9 % were female ones. The information level on the less advisable time for taking the sun was inadequate in 81.4 %. Conclusion: most of them know that sun damages the skin. Sun protection habits, like the use of protector, hats, umbrellas, and the choice of play and sport places are erroneous in most of the children.