Assessment of sun-safety education behavior via spectrophotometric evaluation: A preliminary study

Biases inherent in self-assessment of sun exposure and sun-safe behavior may lead to inaccurate conclusions about the effectiveness of sun-safety educational programs.

We aimed to compare self-reports to objective measures of sun exposure, when examining the effectiveness of passive versus active educational interventions.

From May to June 2018, 73 participants recruited at a dermatology clinic were sequentially assigned to receive sun-safety education through one of 3 modes: interactive online module, video, or no education. A baseline Sun Exposure and Behavior Inventory (SEBI) questionnaire was administered, and spectrophotometric measurements of sun-exposed and sun-protected areas were taken and reported in the CIE L*a*b* color space. Participants were followed 4-8 and 16 weeks after the initial visit where the SEBI was re-administered, and serial measurements of skin color were taken. The change in SEBI scores and L*a*b values, as calculated by the individual typology angle (ITA°), was analyzed.

There was a significant increase in skin darkening in all the groups at 4-8 and 16 weeks follow-up. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the magnitude of color change. However, subjectively at 4-8 weeks post-intervention, participants in the interactive module and video groups had significantly improved self-reported SEBI scores compared to control (p < .05, Kruskal-Wallis). By 16 weeks, only the interactive module group showed significant improvement in SEBI scores compared to control (p < .05, ANOVA).

In determining the effectiveness of sun-safety programs, spectrophotometric evaluation of sun-induced skin pigmentation can allow for a more complete evaluation of self-reported sun exposure and sun-protective behavior.