Harrison, Simone, and Nikles, Jane (2012) Preliminary observations of hat wearing in Brisbane schools. Annals of the ACTM, 13 (2). p. 38.

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Abstract

Background / Aims: Queensland is the Australian state with highest incidence of melanoma, however, only 50% of primary schools in Queensland are SunSmart. Although the SunSmart program has been very successful overall, data on actual implementation of the program are scarce. Though no hat no play is commonly found in SunSmart policies, anecdotal evidence shows that this guideline could be better implemented. This study aims to document the proportions of children and adults at schools observed actually wearing hats.

Methods: On 6 separate days from April to June 2012, 2 trained volunteer observers drove to a convenience sample of 71 schools in Western Brisbane and conducted observations from the road for time periods ranging from 1 to 20 minutes during the following: walking into school grounds, before school, late arrivals, morning tea, lunch break, PE lesson, outdoor lesson, in the school yard, excursion, and at the bus stop.

Results: Of the 71 schools, 57.7% were public schools. 94.4% were co-educational. 90.1% were primary only and 4.2 % were secondary only. 71.5% of children, 33.5% of adults and 15% of siblings were wearing hats overall and 71.6%, 45.9% and 20% of siblings were wearing a hat of some kind.

Conclusion: According to this preliminary data, implementation of hat wearing policies in Brisbane schools could be improved. Adult role modelling of hat wearing and of using hats on students' siblings is an area where more public health education is needed. Further observational studies are needed.

Item ID:	26485
Item Type:	Article (Abstract)
ISSN:	1448-4706
Date Deposited:	25 Apr 2013 23:49
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111706 Epidemiology @ 50% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111716 Preventive Medicine @ 50%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920401 Behaviour and Health @ 100%
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