Adolescent Behavior, Skin Neoplasm, Sunscreening Agents
Conditions
Keywords
Skin Neoplasm, Adolescent Behavior, Sunscreening Agents
Brief summary
This study will evaluate the use of publicly available free sunscreen dispensers at Maine beaches and Boston and Cambridge parks. Aim 1: Determine the impact of DFS+ (dispensers, flyers, enhanced signage, + a social media component delivered by teen ambassadors) sun protection education on the use of free sunscreen dispensers by adolescents ages 12-20 compared with DFS (dispensers, flyers, standard signage). Aim 2: Outcomes evaluation to assess the effects of the sunscreen dispensers and the sun-safety educational intervention on sun protection knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors within the community. Aim 3: Cost Evaluation and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Detailed description
The investigators will build on the pioneering work of IMPACT Melanoma which has provided free sunscreen dispensers to a general population. This study will build on IMPACT Melanoma's ability to install, maintain, and now for the first time, target and publicize the use of dispensers for a teen population. The investigators will test scalable methods for improving the use of free sunscreen dispensers by testing DFS interventions compared with the addition of social media led by teen ambassadors. The investigators will evaluate the impact of the intervention in both parks and beaches in Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA and Maine.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALDispensers, Flyers, Enhanced Signage + a social media component delivered by teen ambassadors
The study intervention is designed to increase utilization of free sunscreen dispensers, applying and reapplying sunscreen, and motivating use of other forms of sun protection by teens. IMPACT Melanoma will install and maintain free sunscreen dispensers at the study sites. Flyers will be posted at locations at the park/beach to inform people of the availability of free sunscreen and the location of the dispenser. 'Teen enhanced' signage will be present on the dispenser in the intervention parks/beaches. Teen ambassadors will share 3-5 posts to their social media platform over the course of 1 week encouraging sun protection practices and use of the free sunscreen dispenser (when the intervention is occurring at the study site).
Sponsors
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Masking description
Teen survey participants will not know whether the park where the free sunscreen dispenser is located is an intervention or control site.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
12 Years to 20 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Being a Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA or Maine youth ages 12-20 * Able to complete a survey in English
Exclusion criteria
* Not a Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA or Maine youth ages 12-20 * Not able to complete a survey in English
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dispenser utilization/Measured reduction in sunscreen levels in dispensers | In real-time, up to 1 day | The investigators will count of the number of teens between the ages of 12 and 20 using the sunscreen dispenser in real-time at the park or beach as they are using the dispenser. This will serve as the numerator. The investigators will also conduct observations to determine an estimated number of teens who are the park on a given day. This will serve as the denominator. This count will be in real-time, counting the number of teens who we observe at the park or beach where the study is taking place. |
| Reported use of sunscreen from surveys completed by teens | In real-time, up to 1 day | Survey responses about sunscreen use |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sun prevention practices | In real-time, up to 1 day | Survey responses about sun protection practices |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed