California sun sense study: An intervention to improve sun safe behavior

Background: The epidemic of skin cancer and the rising rate of malignant melanoma are mostly caused by overexposure to the sun. Since human behavior is the main factor associated with this epidemic, reducing sun exposure in children is essential because overexposure to the sun in childhood have an impact on skin cancer later. Preventive behaviors used in childhood are less likely to change relative to those adopted later.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of and impact on knowledge, attitude and sun safe behaviors of children 3-10 years old of a short-term intervention aimed at adult/child pairs.

Methods: Pretest posttest randomized control study. At UCLA pediatric clinic in Southern California, 197 adult/child pairs were randomized to intervention and control groups. The intervention was an educational talk by trained student reinforced by a catchy slogan and video from Australia's National Skin Cancer Prevention Program, and hat, shirt and sunscreen for the child, and a brochure for the adult. A pretest and posttest questionnaire was used to assess knowledge, attitude and three main behavioral measures, wearing a shirt, a hat and sunscreen.

Results: Significant improvement was found within the intervention group for behavior, knowledge and attitudes. Comparisons between control and intervention groups showed significant gains in knowledge and sun safe behaviors.

Conclusion: This study showed that a short-term intervention using an educational talk, video, and a slogan could increase adult knowledge and parent's report of sun safe behaviors in children. The program was feasible and could be adapted for use in pediatric clinics.