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Children’s sunburn exposed: identification of sun exposure and parental sun protection patterns

Preventing sunburn in childhood is imperative in the light of skin cancer prevention. To provide directions for targeted interventions, a better understanding of children’s sunburn and associated parental behaviours is necessary. To explore sun exposure and parent-for-child sun protection patterns and their relationship with sunburn experienced in children. An online survey was conducted among parents (n = 1,299) of children (4 to 12 years). Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to identify parental subgroups for children’s sunburn, sun exposure and several sun protection behaviours (i.e. applying sunscreen, clothing, seeking shade) in two sun exposure settings (i.e. planned versus incidental). LCA results were validated by assessing predictions of class membership through several sociodemographic characteristics. Reported sunburn in the previous year was frequent (>40%). Four latent classes of sunburn-exposure-protection were identified. Overall, the majority of parents reported fair sun protection behaviours. While a low level of protection behaviour was not strongly reflected in lower sunburn rates among the classes, a high level of planned exposure (e.g. going to the beach) seemed to correspond with higher sunburn risk. Parents of younger children and those with more sensitive skin reported sun protection measures more frequently. Older children and those with more sensitive skin experienced more sunburn. This study contributes to current insight into children’s sunburn, based on parent-proxy reports. Although a clear differentiation in sunburn risk was not found, several variables, relevant for future interventions, were indicated. By further understanding the complexity of children’s sunburn, further research may be directed accordingly.