Assessment of knowledge and behaviors of mothers with small children on the effects of the sun on health

Aim: the purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge and behaviors of mothers with small children on the effects, either benefi cial or detrimental, of the sun on health. this work was planned as preliminary assessment of current status before planning a public health educational program in a community. materials and methods: this cross-sectional study was conducted in the inclusion area of denizli of honaz county family health unit no. 2, on august 2009. eighty one mothers (62%) were reached during the study. a face-to-face interview at the participant home was completed using a questionnaire including questions on sociodemographics, health insurance, etc. there were 12 knowledge questions on the health effects of the sun and 16 behavioral questions. results: participants age ranged 19-49, with a mean 28.5±5.2. sixty percent of the surveyed mothers were housewives and 56.0% were primary school graduates. the mean of knowledge level of mothers was 7,17±2.1. knowledge level of mothers were not affected by age, educational level, employment status, family type, and health insurance (p<0.05). the most commonly practiced methods for sun protection for themselves were “staying at shade”, 96.3% and the methods most commonly used for children “prefer light-colored clothing”, 93.8%. the rate of sunscreen use was 18.5% for women, 21% for children. the mean of sun protection level of mothers was 9.33±1.9. conclusion: the level of knowledge on the effect of the sun and the appropriate protective behaviors from its detrimental effects were not at the desired level among the mothers. the fi ndings may help to shape future public health educational activities. there was a relations hip between the level of sun protection of mothers and mother's employment status.