BACKGROUND: Children are at particular risk for sun exposure, a major cause of skin cancer. Parents and caregivers can help protect children by educating them about practicing safe sun habits, serving as role models, and providing supportive environments. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated SunSmart, a cancer prevention program for 6- to 8-year-old children, their parents, and outdoor recreation staff. METHODS: The intervention included staff training, on-site activities for children, interactive take-home booklets, behavior-monitoring scoreboards, incentives, providing sunscreen, and encouraging sun safe environments and policies. The program was evaluated by baseline and follow-up surveys of parents and recreation staff, monitoring forms, and on-site observations. RESULTS: There were positive changes in all major outcomes, including knowledge; sun protection habits of parents, children, and staff; readiness to change; sun protection policies; and sun protection norms. The changes ranged from improvements of 3% to more than 20%, and several changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated the feasibility and short-term impact of Hawaii's SunSmart program and suggested areas for refinement and expansion.
BACKGROUND:Children are at particular risk for sun exposure, a major cause of skin cancer. Parents and caregivers can help protect children by educating them about practicing safe sun habits, serving as role models, and providing supportive environments. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated SunSmart, a cancer prevention program for 6- to 8-year-old children, their parents, and outdoor recreation staff. METHODS: The intervention included staff training, on-site activities for children, interactive take-home booklets, behavior-monitoring scoreboards, incentives, providing sunscreen, and encouraging sun safe environments and policies. The program was evaluated by baseline and follow-up surveys of parents and recreation staff, monitoring forms, and on-site observations. RESULTS: There were positive changes in all major outcomes, including knowledge; sun protection habits of parents, children, and staff; readiness to change; sun protection policies; and sun protection norms. The changes ranged from improvements of 3% to more than 20%, and several changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated the feasibility and short-term impact of Hawaii's SunSmart program and suggested areas for refinement and expansion.
Authors: David B Buller; Kim D Reynolds; Jeff L Ashley; Mary K Buller; Ilima L Kane; Cheri L Stabell; Kim L Massie; Xia Liu; Gary R Cutter Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2011-09 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: David L O'Riordan; Eric Nehl; Peter Gies; Lucja Bundy; Kristen Burgess; Erica Davis; Karen Glanz Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2009-03-17 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Dean A Dudley; Wayne G Cotton; Matthew J Winslade; Bradley J Wright; Kirsten S Jackson; Alexandra M Brown; Vanessa Rock Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2017-01-05 Impact factor: 3.295