Photoprotection among young children: assessment of mothers’ awareness and health behaviours

INTRODUCTION: Due to the increasing incidence of skin cancer in the last decades a wide promotion of proper sun protection is needed. Mothers and their children commonly spending time outdoors are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of sunlight. AIM: To assess health awareness and behaviours connected to sun protection in the group of mothers of children under 6 years of age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An online survey containing 23 questions (19 closed and 4 open) was carried out between July and August 2019. One hundred and seven women (mean age: 30.7 ±4.3years) participated in the study. The mean age of children was 1.9 ±1.6years (range: 0–6 years). RESULTS: One hundred and five (98.1%) mothers declared using sunscreen. Of them, 36 women used sunscreen only in summer, while 14 women applied sunscreen all year. Mothers of younger children used sunscreen all year round significantly more often (p = 0.041) compared to mothers of older children. Mothers of children under the age of 1 used sunscreen when staying in the shade more often (p = 0.025) than mothers of older children. Only 14 (13.3%) women declared applying sunscreen on their children during cloudy weather. CONCLUSIONS: A good photoprotection awareness of mothers, especially with respect to the youngest children was observed. However, a need for further education regarding certain photoprotection aspects (proper application and damaging effect of UVA) is necessary.