Sun Safety - Research Paper Example

SUN SAFETY Statement: Parents and staff perceptions on the importance of Sun Safety in early childhood Introduction While the sun is good for the body, too much of it can be harmful. The sun’s rays carry ultraviolet radiation. Overexposure to UV rays could lead to aging of skin prematurely, eye damage, skin cancer, and sunburn. It is thus important to guard the body against the UV rays’ adverse effects (Medicine.Net.Com, 2012 p1). This is called sun safety or sun protection. Exposure to sun originated Ultra-violet rays is an acknowledged risk factor for melanoma and non-melanoma cancer of the skin development. This research report aims to discuss sun safety. The purpose for writing a report on sun safety was because of a strong belief in preventing the body from the acknowledged harm, coming from the sun and the curiosity to discover how aware staff and parents at a child day care centre were about sun safety. The procedures and strategies that the centre has put, in place, to protect young children from the sun was another consideration in researching this report. The objectives for the research were: Evaluation of the understanding of what parents know about sun safety Identifying the benefits of a positive approach to sun safety in early childhood Identifying practices and strategies on how to reduce skin cancer The research methodologies utilized for this research were quantitative and qualitative using primary and secondary sources. The qualitative questions managed to provide detailed answers while the quantitative questioning gave quick and easy to read and answer questions. During the research process, primary sources included surveys handed out to parents and staff at childcare centers to evaluate knowledge on sun safety, while secondary sources included relevant books, pamphlets, internet searches, statistical data from ABS, fact sheet, cancer council, and other relevant sources. Out of the seventy surveys handed out, fifteen were returned. Majority of the surveys completed all questions in detail and showed great awareness on sun safety. 1. Evaluation of understanding of what parents know about Sun Safety A quantitative survey was carried out on fourteen parents at a childcare centre. The parents were questioned regarding knowledge on sun safety. 15% of parents surveyed agreed that, sunscreen should be applied two hours before going outdoors while 71% agreed that it should be done twenty minutes before. 14% said it should be re-applied after thirty minutes in the sun. 100% of the parents agreed that excessive exposure to the sun could place the child at risk of sunburn, premature aging, and skin cancer. 295 of parents also agreed that wearing a hat and protective clothing helps protect the child from the sun, with 715 saying that a hat, protective clothing, and sunglasses helps protect children from the sun. 14% of the parents agreed that the sun’s rays were strongest between 10am to 4 pm another 14% agreed that it was between 12 pm and 3 pm while 72% agreed that the children’s exposure to the sun should be limited from 11am to 3pm. In another survey, 93% of the parents agreed that a certain exposure to the sun was healthy, while 7% stated that any exposure to the sun is not healthy. 1005 of the parents also strongly agreed that protecting the child from the sun is important. In yet another survey question, 64% of the parents defined sun safety as protection 21% described it as risks, while 15% described it as all about education. 2. Identifying the benefits of a positive approach to sun safety in early childhood It is vital to protect a child from direct sunlight. This is because a lot of sunlight is harmful, particularly to young children who at all times should be kept away from the direct sun (Queensland Government, 2012 p1). Keeping children protected from direct sunlight helps to prevent sunburns and significantly reduces the risks inherent in skin cancer, which manifest themselves later in the individual’s life. Keeping children protected from the sunlight is also important since approximately fifty percent of sunlight exposure for an individual happens during childhood. This is why it is vital to keep them protected since the skin can be cooled by a breeze or cold water and thus sunburns may remain unnoticed. Since some children show sunlight sensitivity, they may develop rashes (Queensland Government, 2012 p1). Keeping them away from direct sunlight should protect them from direct sunlight is thus beneficial to the child. Since sun safety, in early childhood, is of such benefit, it is imperative to promote positive approaches to its resolution. One such intervention is policy guidelines in centers for early childhood (Lancet, 2007 p2). These are active and comprehensive policies on sunsmart. There also needs to be provision of quality shade aimed at children, which has been proven to reduce exposure of children to damage from the sun. Small schemes of grants should also be provided to provide shade structures, as well as inclusion of sun safety in curriculum and teaching. Reducing exposure for children to UV rays has been brought forward as the most successful strategy aimed at reducing skin cancer rates (Queensland Government, 2007 p1). It is beneficial to be sun safe since not only does skin cancer afflict numerous individuals and kill them, but also the disease, which can be, prevented costs the taxpayer three hundred million per year. Sun damage inflicted in children below five years turns into a major skin cancer causative agent later in life. All early childhood centers in Queensland follow positive approaches to sun safety in their early childhood centers. These include: Education of parents through sun safety curriculum and the manner in which to give support to the community, children, careers, parents, and educators (Sun Smart, 2012 p1). Timetabling via the rescheduling of activities, which are done outdoors such as lunch breaks and morning tea, outdoor special events and play times in order to avoid mid day exposure to the sun (Sun Smart, 2012 p1). Environmental strategies that are supportive of sun safety such as playground shade, provision of portable or mobile shade especially when holding excursions or special events (Sun Smart, 2012 p1). Clothing aimed at achieving sun safety like t-shirts for children and recommended sunscreen with an SPF of +30, as well as a no hat no play policy (Sun Smart, 2012 p1). A survey was carried out to find out the various approaches being applied to ensure sun safety. Staffs working at a childcare center were surveyed on these methods. All the five surveyed staff had an agreed that sunscreen needs to be applied at least twenty minutes before children are allowed outdoors. When asked if they should limit the children’s exposure to the sun when the sun’s rays are strongest and at what time this is; 3 agreed that 10am to 4pm is a damaging period as far as sun exposure is concerned while 2 agreed that the period between 11am and 3pm was the most damaging. When asked what they thought were the benefits of a positive approach to sun safety in early childhood, 3 said that informed benefits of a positive approach to sun safety in childhood will work, while 2 were of the opinion that protection is the key to a positive approach to sun safety in early childhood. When asked if positive role modeling affects the safety behavior of the children, 4 of them concurred, that it does benefit the safety behaviors of the child, while 1 said that safety behavior learning, encourages children to follow through on it. 3. Identifying Practices and Strategies on how to Reduce Incidents of Skin Cancer The respondents were asked questions that related to what they knew about the dangers of the sun, especially in causing cancer. These questions included what age at least one in three Australians would develop skin cancer, what strategies and practices the staff put, in place, to reduce skin cancer incidences at the child care center, and the staff were also asked at what age 2 in 3 Australians will develop skin cancer. Exposure to the sun is a major cause of photosensitivity, photo ageing, and photo-carcinogenesis, which causes cancer (Medicine.Net.com, 2012 p1). Behavioral measures that include protective clothing like hats are preferable to sunscreen when implementing a strategy to prevent skin cancer. Direct UV exposure is deemed a major factor in skin cancer development. UVB wavelength causes DNA photochemical damage while UVA indirectly generates reactive species of oxygen. It also, plays a role in melanoma pathogenesis. UV radiation protection is vitally important. Various factors that may increase protection from the sun include fibers, which are tightly woven, thick fabrics like wool and denim, material that is loose fitting, dry materials, and fabrics that have been treated with UV absorbers of broad spectrum like tinosorb (Medicine.Net.com, 2012 p1). When summer exposure during midday is unavoidable be avoided, individuals should wear clothes that cover the majority of the surface of the skin and apply sunscreen on the exposed remainder. The sun protection factor, or SPF, measures the efficacy of sunscreen. Its definition is the UVB radiation dose needed to produce erythemal dose in its minimum after 2mg/cm2 of sunscreen is applied divided by dosage that produces erythemal dose on skin that is unprotected (Lancet, 2007 p1). Sunscreen should be applied evenly over the skin that is exposed in quantities that are liberal in order to maximize the product’s effectiveness. One could opt to use organic sunscreen, which is applied fifteen to thirty minutes before exposure to the sun, or use waterproof sunscreen, which reduces the necessity to re-apply sunscreen after a swim. Although sunscreen with an SPF of >15 gives more protection from UVB, it has not yet been proven to offer more protection form cancer of the skin (Lancet, 2007 p3). However, data has proved that sunscreen with a higher SPF is more efficient than that with a lower value. It is important to note that one should not abuse sunscreen with the aim of getting maximum sun time. Evidence shows that application of sunscreen all year round aids in the prevention of cancer of the skin in regions with high levels of insolation, but it is not advisable for those living in low exposure regions. Overexposure to sun rays is the best way to avoid cancer of the skin. Recommendations from the Queensland states strategies & practices are that children should be attired in collared tops with long sleeves and long trousers during activities outdoors (Lancet, 2007 p1). Children should also be clad in broad brim hats topped with sunglasses. The time spent outdoors in the sun between 10 am in the morning, and 3 pm in the afternoon should be reduced to a minimum and children should be encouraged to seek shade if possible. It is also advisable that staff at childcare centers should act as role models by wearing sunglasses, hats, and use high SPF sunscreen during any activities carried outdoors. The sunsmart early childhood program was set up in 2004 with the aim to reduce direct exposure of children and staff to harmful UV radiation (Lancet, 2007). The program also aims at promotion of ongoing development and maintenance of shade in childcare center setting, and increasing the awareness of staff and children on damage to the skin and various ways to protect their eyes and skin. The program recommends the minimization of activities outdoors as much as can be reasonably avoided, especially between 11am and 3pm when the levels of UV radiation are at their highest (Lancet, 2007 p2). Conclusion Sunlight consists of UV radiation, which is the cause of skin cancer, cataracts, wrinkles, and aging of the skin pre-maturely (United States Department of Labor, 2003 p2). Amount of inflicted damage is dependent on skin protection, period of exposure, and light strength. Exposure to the sun could cause cancer f the skin at any age. One should be extra vigilant and note several features that are indicative of this. They include irregular moles. Fair skin, freckles, and light brown, red or blonde hair. In order to block out UV rays that are harmful, it is important to cover exposed portions of skin out, utilize sunscreen, wear broad brimmed hats, and limit exposure to the sun. Recommendations Radiation levels in Australia are high for the most part of the year. This means that exposure to the sun could pose risks to the health of children. While sunlight exposure has undeniable health benefits like synthesis of vitamin D, making complete sun avoidance is unadvisable, exposure should, however, be sensible. The following policies on sun protection are advised: Centers for childcare and family day care should be required to obtain licenses, which ensure enough shade is present in outdoor spaces of play frequented by the children. This recommendation protects children from UV’s highly damaging effects. The centers are also to be required to avail in writing policies on sun safety and their modes of implementation. The care centers should also consider the amount of UV radiation coming from nearby reflective surfaces. Consider changes in season and adapt shade covers to change angles as the sun position changes. Deciduous trees have a shade that changes through the year. Ensure the availability of shade throughout the year since children can be exposed to UV radiation that is harmful even in weather that is cooler. References Australian Government Department of Ageing. (2009). Frequent asked questions about skin cancer. Retrieved 04.04.2012 from http://www.skincancer.gov.au/internet/skincancer/publishing.nsf/content/fact-3#old Behavioral Strategies Recommended to Reduce Risk for Skin Cancer. (2007). Lancet. Retrieved Friday 23.03.2012 from http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/556250 Department of Communities. (2006). Shade & Sun protection. Retrieved 21.03.2012 from http://www.communities.wa.gov.au/childrenandfamilies/childcare/Documents/Shade%20and%20Sun%20Protection.pdf Medicine.Net.com.(2012) Sun protection & sunscreens. Retrieved 20.03.2012 from http://www.medicinenet.com/sun_protection_and_sunscreens/article.htm Net Doctor, (2010) Why is it important to protect your children from the sun. Retrieved 12.03.2012from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/sunchildren.htm Queensland Government. (2012), Sun Safety at childcare. Retrieved 02.03.2012 from http://www.sunsafety.qld.gov.au/atdaycare Sun protection in Queensland Early Childhood Services (June 2005), Queensland Government. Retrieved 18.03.2012 from http://www.sunsafety.qld.gov.au/documents/29602.pdf Sun Smart service (2007). Sun Smart early childhood Program Retrieved 18.03.2012 from http://www.actcancer.org/sun-smart/childcare.aspx Sun Smart. (2012) Facts and Stats at a glance. Retrieved 04.04.2012 fromhttp://www.sunsmart.com.au/faqs/facts_and_stats United States Department of Labor (2003), Protecting yourself from the sun. Retrieved 12.03.2012 from http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3166/osha3166.htm Read More