Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of parents regarding children’s sun protection

This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding children's sun protection specifically in Beijing, addressing a regional evidence gap in China. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of parents in Beijing regarding sun protection for their children. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, between May 25 and June 30, 2025. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, which included items on demographic characteristics and KAP-related variables. A total of 477 valid responses were obtained, with 357 respondents (74.84%) being mothers. Physical sun protection methods were preferred by 273 participants (57.23%). Among the children, 249 (52.20%) were female, 277 (58.07%) had an average daily sun exposure of 1-2 h, and 97 (20.34%) had experienced sunburn. The scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 6.256 ± 1.34 (range: 0-11), 30.95 ± 4.11 (range: 8-40), and 31.05 ± 7.67 (range: 10-50), respectively. Path analysis revealed that knowledge directly influenced practice (β = 0.52, P = 0.027), whereas attitude exhibited a stronger influence on practice (β = 0.74, P < 0.001). Parents in Beijing exhibited limited knowledge, generally positive attitudes, but suboptimal practices regarding sun protection for their children. The significant associations between knowledge, attitude, and practice suggested that targeted educational interventions aimed at increasing parental awareness and shifting attitudes could enhance sun protection behaviors in both clinical and community settings.