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The relationship between sun protection policy and associated practices in a national sample of early childhood services in Australia

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dc.contributor.authorEttridge, K.
dc.contributor.authorBowden, J.
dc.contributor.authorRayner, J.
dc.contributor.authorWilson, C.
dc.date.issued2011
dc.description.abstractLimiting exposure to sunlight during childhood can significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer. This was the first national study to assess the sun protection policies and practices of early childhood services across Australia. It also examined the key predictors of services' sun protection practices. In 2007, 1017 respondents completed a self-administered survey about the sun protection policies and practices in their early childhood service (response rate of 59%). Most (95%) had a written sun protection policy. The most common policy inclusions were hat wearing (91%), sunscreen use (87%) and enforcement of policy (97%). Less frequently reported inclusions were protective clothing (69%), information for parents/caregivers (58%) and regular reviews/updates of policies (65%). Basic sun protection practices (e.g. required any type of hat and sunscreen use) were more commonly reported than extensive practices (required protective clothing or regularly applied sunscreen). Higher sun protection policy scores, being a formal childcare service as opposed to a kindergarten/pre-school and having SunSmart status as opposed to not, were associated with higher sun protection practice scores (P < 0.001). Sun protection policies may be improved through encouraging services to have more specific policy inclusions and to model their policies on the SunSmart Early Childhood Program.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityKerry A. Ettridge, Jacqueline A. Bowden, Joanne M. Rayner, and Carlene J. Wilson
dc.identifier.citationHealth Education Research, 2011; 26(1):53-62
dc.identifier.doi10.1093/her/cyq070
dc.identifier.issn0268-1153
dc.identifier.issn1465-3648
dc.identifier.orcidEttridge, K. [0000-0001-7928-9692]
dc.identifier.orcidBowden, J. [0000-0003-1983-8930]
dc.identifier.orcidWilson, C. [0000-0002-1883-4690]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/88980
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherOxford University Press (OUP)
dc.rights©The Author 2010
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyq070
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectSunscreening Agents
dc.subjectProtective Clothing
dc.subjectHealth Policy
dc.subjectSocioeconomic Factors
dc.subjectChild, Preschool
dc.subjectChild Care
dc.subjectAustralia
dc.titleThe relationship between sun protection policy and associated practices in a national sample of early childhood services in Australia
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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