Reducing UVR Exposure in Pregnant Women and Infants: A Pilot Study

Sun protection during pregnancy is critical for both maternal and infant skin cancer prevention, yet gaps remain in addressing this behavior in pre and postnatal settings. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a peer-led intervention for expectant mothers' sun protection behaviors for themselves and their newborns and examine the preliminary effects on mothers' skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and sun protection behaviors for themselves and their infants. Expectant mothers were recruited from medical clinics and community settings and were asked to complete surveys and interviews. The intervention, informed by the Cognitive-Social Health Information Processing model, consisted of two peer coach-led remote sessions. The majority of mothers (81%) attended both intervention sessions and reported increased understanding of (88%) and improved sun protection practices for themselves (79%; such as wearing sunscreen and reapplying sunscreen while outside). Additionally, 89% agreed that SUNRISE content is beneficial for new mothers. Moreover, maternal self-efficacy for implementing sun protection, intention to implement sun-safe behaviors for their infants, and knowledge of infant skin cancer prevention also increased with large effect sizes (d = 0.8-1.3). Mothers reported significantly decreased barriers to sun safety pre- to post-intervention. Feasibility of recruitment and delivery of a peer-led intervention focused on sun safety in women and their infants was high, and the intervention was acceptable to participating women. Mothers improved their sun protection behaviors over time, and implementation of sun protection behaviors for their infants was high. Intervention efficacy with a larger and more diverse sample is warranted, with longer follow-up.