The sun sense study: an intervention to improve sun protection in children.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effect of a multicomponent intervention on parental knowledge, sun avoidance behaviors, and sun protection practices in children 3-10 years.

METHODS

A randomized trial at a pediatric clinic recruited 197 caregiver-child pairs (90% parents). Intervention included a brief presentation and brochure for the parent and educational video and sun protection incentives for the child.

RESULTS

Significant improvements were observed in sun protection practices and parental knowledge but not in sun avoidance behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Although results support the intervention's effect on parent-child pairs for sun protection practices and parental knowledge, increasing sun avoidance behaviors may require further study.