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Exploring perceptions of and attitudes towards tanning with school children, parents/carers and educators in Wales: A mixed methods study protocol for the SunChat study

Gisselle Tur Porres Orcid Logo, Kirsty Lanyon Orcid Logo, Rachel Abbott Orcid Logo, Helen Lewis, Emily Marchant Orcid Logo, Julie Peconi

PLOS ONE, Volume: 19, Issue: 6, Start page: e0295719

Swansea University Authors: Gisselle Tur Porres Orcid Logo, Kirsty Lanyon Orcid Logo, Helen Lewis, Emily Marchant Orcid Logo, Julie Peconi

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Abstract

BackgroundSkin cancer comprises half of all cancers in England and Wales. Most skin cancers can be prevented with safer sun exposure. As over exposure as a child can greatly increase future skin cancer risk, early and accessible sun safety education and promotion of sun safe behaviours is critical....

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Published in: PLOS ONE
ISSN: 1932-6203
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024
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URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66449
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Abstract: BackgroundSkin cancer comprises half of all cancers in England and Wales. Most skin cancers can be prevented with safer sun exposure. As over exposure as a child can greatly increase future skin cancer risk, early and accessible sun safety education and promotion of sun safe behaviours is critical. Scientists agree there is no such thing as a ‘safe tan’, yet the public, including children, often have positive perceptions of tanned skin. To protect against future skin cancer, it is important to understand and address these misconceptions. The Curriculum for Wales with its area for Health and Well-being, and autonomy for schools in designing curriculum content, presents an ideal way to facilitate this exploration. Aims•Gather data regarding perceptions towards tanning to explore the perceived effects of a tan on health. •Inform the development and testing of an educational toolkit for integration within the Curriculum for Wales to encourage positive health behaviours and attitudes of school children towards tanning and sun exposure. MethodsSunChat is a mixed methods exploratory study comprising three work streams:1.Workshops with school children to understand their perceptions on tanning.2.An online multiple-choice survey with parents/carers to understand perceptions, attitudes and behaviours towards tanning both for themselves and their children.3.An informal focus group with primary school educators to explore challenges in engaging with the school community around the Health and Well-being Area in the Curriculum for Wales.DiscussionTo date, there has been no work in Wales exploring children’s, parents/carers’, and educators’ perceptions of tanning and how healthier attitudes can be encouraged. This study will engage with participants to scope current perceptions on tanning and the perceived effects tanning has on health. Findings will feed into future toolkit and curriculum development for health in schools in Wales and beyond.
Keywords: Education; health and well-being; tanning perceptions; sun safety; primary school children; parents; educators; Wales
College: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Funders: VCD1004-124 (MASI Basecamp project)
Issue: 6
Start Page: e0295719