Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025
Setup of Consumer Wearable Devices for Exposure and Health Monitoring in Population Studies
Published on: February 3, 2023
Sunproofed study protocol: A mixed-methods scoping study of sun safety policies in primary schools in Wales
Julie Peconi1, Claire O'Neill1, Greg Fegan1
1Swansea Trials Unit, Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom.
Background:
Skin cancer, including melanoma and non-melanoma (keratinocyte), is increasing in incidence in the UK. Accounting for half of all cancers in England and Wales, the disease significantly impacts overstretched dermatology services. Research suggests that 86% of melanoma is preventable with modified sun exposure. Educating children about sun safety in schools can help prevent skin cancer and is recommended by major health organisations. In England, teaching sun safety in primary schools is compulsory, while in Wales this is left to school discretion.
Aims:
Understand how primary schools in Wales are responding to growing skin cancer rates and explore the effectiveness of sun safety policies in schools on knowledge and behaviour.
Methods:
Sunproofed is a mixed-methods scoping study comprising 5 work packages (WP) using survey and routine electronic health record (EHR) data supplemented by qualitative case studies. Objective(s) are to: WP1: Discover if primary schools in Wales have sun safety policies; policy characteristics; determine factors that may influence their presence and identify areas where schools need support. WP2: Determine what EHR data is available regarding the incidence of sunburn in primary school children and the feasibility of using this data to evaluate the impact of sun safety policies. WP3: Understand the impact of sun safety policies on sun-safe knowledge and behaviour amongst children, parents, teachers, and school management; identify barriers and facilitators to schools implementing sun safety policies. WP4: Co-produce guidance regarding sun safety policies and best methods for implementation in schools. WP5: Disseminate guidance and findings widely to ensure impact and uptake.
Discussion:
Skin cancer rates are increasing in the UK, straining limited resources. Sunproofed has the potential to inform the development of future prevention activities, both in Wales and beyond. This could reduce the number of skin cancer cases in the future and keep people healthier for longer.
More Related Videos
06:00Four Temporary Waterslide Designs Adapted to Different Slope Conditions to Encourage Child Socialization in Playgrounds
Published on: December 9, 2022
05:59Visualization of Intensity Levels to Reduce the Gap Between Self-Reported and Directly Measured Physical Activity
Published on: March 7, 2019
Related Concept Videos
02:20Longitudinal Research
01:23Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
02:30Naturalistic Observations
01:20Study Designs in Epidemiology
Observational studies are those where the researcher does not intervene but rather observes natural variations. They include cross-sectional, cohort, and...
01:18The Scientific Method in Nursing Process
When using research findings to change practice, one must understand the process used to guide a study. The scientific method is a systematic, step-by-step process that supports the data's validity, reliability, and generalizability. As a result, findings can be...