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Evaluation of an intervention to reduce sun exposure in children: design and baseline results
E Milne1, D R English, D Cross
1Department of Public Health, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.
Insights
The Kidskin Study found that a targeted intervention program effectively reduced sun exposure in young children. This involved educational curricula and sun-protective swimwear, aiming to decrease risks associated with excessive ultraviolet radiation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Public Health Interventions
- Childhood Sun Safety
Background:
- Childhood sun exposure is a significant risk factor for skin cancer.
- Early intervention strategies are crucial for establishing lifelong sun-safe behaviors.
- Understanding the impact of targeted programs on sun exposure in young children is vital.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive intervention to reduce sun exposure in 5- and 6-year-old children.
- To assess the effectiveness of varying levels of intervention (moderate vs. high) compared to standard health education.
- To investigate the impact of interventions on outcomes such as nevus count and sun-related behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year intervention study (1995-1999) involving 1,776 children across 33 primary schools in Perth, Western Australia.
- Three groups were established: control (standard curriculum), moderate intervention (curriculum-based), and high intervention (curriculum plus summer materials and subsidized sun-protective swimwear).
- Primary outcome measure was the number of nevi on the back, with secondary measures including other nevus sites, suntanning, freckling, and sun-related behaviors.
Main Results:
- At baseline, groups were comparable in nevus counts and freckling, though the high intervention group had slightly higher sun exposure.
- The study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of different intervention intensities on reducing sun exposure and its markers.
- Potential confounders like ethnicity and parental education were noted, with groups showing some differences.
Conclusions:
- The Kidskin Study provides valuable data on the feasibility and potential impact of school-based and home-based interventions for childhood sun safety.
- Further analysis is needed to determine the long-term efficacy of the moderate and high intervention strategies on reducing sun exposure and associated risks.
- Findings inform the development of public health initiatives aimed at protecting children's skin from excessive ultraviolet radiation.
Abstract:
The Kidskin Study is a 5-year intervention study (1995-1999) involving 1,776 5- and 6-year-old children attending 33 primary schools in Perth, Western Australia. The aim of the study is to design, implement, and evaluate an intervention to reduce sun exposure in young children. There are three study groups: a control group, a "moderate intervention" group, and a "high intervention" group. The control schools receive the standard Western Australian health education curriculum, while the moderate and high intervention schools receive a specially designed curricular intervention. In addition, children in the high intervention group receive program materials over the summer holidays, when exposure is likely to be highest, and are offered sun-protective swimwear at low cost. The main outcome measure is the number of nevi on the back. Other outcomes include nevi on the chest (boys only), face, and arms, levels of suntanning, degree of freckling, and sun-related behaviors. At baseline, the three groups were similar with respect to nevi and freckling after adjustment for observer and month of observation. Sun exposure was slightly higher in the high intervention group. The groups were also similar with respect to most potential confounders, although they differed with respect to Southern European ethnicity and parental education.