AUTHOR=Költő András , Rodriguez Lauren , Mcavoy Helen , Nic Gabhainn Saoirse 

TITLE=Sunburn, Sun Safety and Indoor Tanning Among Schoolchildren in Ireland

JOURNAL=International Journal of Public Health

VOLUME=66

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.ssph-journal.org/journals/international-journal-of-public-health/articles/10.3389/ijph.2021.1604045

DOI=10.3389/ijph.2021.1604045

ISSN=1661-8564

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Objectives:</bold> We present patterns of sunburn, sun safety behaviors and indoor tanning bed use in a nationally representative sample of schoolchildren aged 10–17. These behaviors were explored across gender, age, and social class groups.</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Within the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Ireland study, 10,271 young people (aged 13.54 ± 1.92, percentage girls 53.3%) reported frequency of sun safety behaviors, sunburn, and frequency and circumstances of indoor tanning bed use.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Children frequently experienced sunburn (90% lifetime, 74% last year), and 3% reported never using any sun protection. Applying sunscreen and wearing sunglasses were the most commonly used sun safety measures; other ways of sun protection were less popular. Indoor tanning bed use was reported by around 5%, and a large proportion of users were not advised of any indoor tanning safety measures. Sun safety behaviors varied by age and gender, with some socio-economic differences in tanning bed use. An association was found between frequency of family holidays abroad and sunburn.</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> Targeted interventions are needed to increase sun safety behaviors and eliminate tanning bed use among children in Ireland.</p>