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The Impact of Parental Knowledge and Tanning Attitudes on Sun Protection Practice for Young Children in Germany

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  • Olaf Gefeller

    (Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen D-91054, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jiang Li

    (Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen D-91054, Germany
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Wolfgang Uter

    (Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen D-91054, Germany)

  • Annette B. Pfahlberg

    (Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen D-91054, Germany)

Abstract

Public health campaigns have improved knowledge on UVR-associated skin cancer risk and increased sun protection awareness. However, tanned skin is still a common beauty ideal. The relationship between knowledge, attitudes and protective behavior is not fully understood yet. A population-based survey was thus performed in the district of Erlangen involving 2,619 parents of 3- to 6-year old children. By means of a self-administered standardized questionnaire parental knowledge about risk factors for skin cancer, their attitudes towards tanning and details of protective measures taken for their children were assessed. The study analyzed specifically the impact of parental tanning attitudes on sun-protective measures for their children while controlling for parental knowledge about skin cancer risk factors. While parental knowledge was significantly (inversely) associated with agreement to the statement “Tanned skin is healthy skin”, this was not the case for “Tanning makes me look better”. Overall, tanning affirmative attitudes were inversely associated with protective measures taken for the children, whereas parental knowledge had a positive impact on sun protection at the beach only. Multivariable analyses provided evidence for an effect of parental attitude on protective behavior independent of parental knowledge. Tanning attitudes and tanned skin as the misguided ideal of beauty need to be addressed in future public health campaigns to enhance the effectiveness of preventive activities in changing sun protective behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Olaf Gefeller & Jiang Li & Wolfgang Uter & Annette B. Pfahlberg, 2014. "The Impact of Parental Knowledge and Tanning Attitudes on Sun Protection Practice for Young Children in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:5:p:4768-4781:d:35741
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marilyn Wickenheiser & Mary Kate Baker & Rikki Gaber & Hanz Blatt & June K. Robinson, 2013. "Sun Protection Preferences and Behaviors among Young Adult Males during Maximum Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure Activities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Garvin, Theresa & Eyles, John, 2001. "Public health responses for skin cancer prevention: the policy framing of Sun Safety in Australia, Canada and England," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 53(9), pages 1175-1189, November.
    3. Daniela Haluza & Stana Simic & Hanns Moshammer, 2014. "Temporal and Spatial Melanoma Trends in Austria: An Ecological Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cornelia Fiessler & Annette B. Pfahlberg & Wolfgang Uter & Olaf Gefeller, 2018. "Shedding Light on the Shade: How Nurseries Protect Their Children from Ultraviolet Radiation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-11, August.
    2. Olaf Gefeller & Wolfgang Uter & Annette B. Pfahlberg, 2016. "Protection from Ultraviolet Radiation during Childhood: The Parental Perspective in Bavaria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-11, October.
    3. Katharina Diehl & Karlijn Thoonen & Eckhard W. Breitbart & Annette B. Pfahlberg & Tatiana Görig, 2022. "Sun Protection and Tanning Behaviors in Caregivers: Prevalence, Determinants, and Associations with Children’s Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, June.

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