A Smoking Prevention Program Delivered by Medical Students to Secondary Schools in Brazil Called "Education Against Tobacco": Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the largest preventable cause of mortality in Brazil. Education Against Tobacco (EAT) is a network of more than 3500 medical students and physicians across 14 countries who volunteer for school-based smoking prevention programs. EAT educates 50,000 adolescents per year in the classroom setting. A recent quasi-experimental study conducted in Germany showed that EAT had significant short-term smoking cessation effects among adolescents aged 11 to 15 years. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to measure the long-term effectiveness of the most recent version of the EAT curriculum in Brazil. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 2348 adolescents aged 12 to 21 years (grades 7-11) at public secondary schools in Brazil. The prospective experimental design included measurements at baseline and at 6 and 12 months postintervention. The study groups comprised randomized classes receiving the standardized EAT intervention (90 minutes of mentoring in a classroom setting) and control classes in the same schools (no intervention). Data were collected on smoking status, gender, social aspects, and predictors of smoking. The primary endpoint was the difference in the change in smoking prevalence between the intervention group and the control group at 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: From baseline to 12 months, the smoking prevalence increased from 11.0% to 20.9% in the control group and from 14.1% to 15.6% in the intervention group. This difference was statistically significant (P<.01). The effects were smaller for females (control 12.4% to 18.8% vs intervention 13.1% to 14.6%) than for males (control 9.1% to 23.6% vs intervention 15.3% to 16.8%). Increased quitting rates and prevented onset were responsible for the intervention effects. The differences in change in smoking prevalence from baseline to 12 months between the intervention and control groups were increased in students with low school performance. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first randomized trial on school-based tobacco prevention in Brazil that shows significant long-term favorable effects. The EAT program encourages quitting and prevents smoking onset, especially among males and students with low educational background. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02725021; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02725021. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/resprot.7134.

Effect of a Face-Aging Mobile App-Based Intervention on Skin Cancer Protection Behavior in Secondary Schools in Brazil: A Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Because exposure to UV radiation early in life is an important risk factor for melanoma development, reducing UV exposure in children and adolescents is of paramount importance. New interventions are urgently required. Objective: To determine the effect of the free face-aging mobile app Sunface on the skin cancer protection behavior of adolescents. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cluster-randomized clinical trial included a single intervention and a 6-month follow-up from February 1 to November 30, 2018. Randomization was performed on the class level in 52 school classes within 8 public secondary schools (grades 9-12) in Itauna, Southeast Brazil. Data were analyzed from May 1 to October 10, 2019. Interventions: In a classroom seminar delivered by medical students, adolescents' selfies were altered by the app to show UV effects on their future faces and were shown in front of their class, accompanied by information about UV protection. Information about relevant parameters was collected via anonymous questionnaires before and 3 and 6 months after the intervention. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point of the study was the difference in daily sunscreen use at 6 months of follow-up. Secondary end points included the difference in daily sunscreen use at 3 months of follow-up, at least 1 skin self-examination within 6 months, and at least 1 tanning session in the preceding 30 days. All analyses were predefined and based on intention to treat. Cluster effects were taken into account. Results: Participants included 1573 pupils (812 girls [51.6%] and 761 boys [48.4%]; mean [SD] age, 15.9 [1.3] years) from 52 school classes. Daily sunscreen use increased from 110 of 734 pupils (15.0%) to 139 of 607 (22.9%; P < .001) at the 6-month follow-up in the intervention group. The proportion of pupils performing at least 1 skin self-examination in the intervention group rose from 184 of 734 (25.1%) to 300 of 607 (49.4%; P < .001). Use of tanning decreased from 138 of 734 pupils (18.8%) to 92 of 607 (15.2%; P = .04). No significant changes were observed in the control group. The intervention was more effective for female students (number needed to treat for the primary end point: 8 for girls and 31 for boys). Conclusions and Relevance: These findings suggest that interventions based on face-aging apps may increase skin cancer protection behavior in Brazilian adolescents. Further studies are required to maximize the effect and to investigate the generalizability of the effects. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03178240.

EAT-Brazil Award for Tobacco Control: a brief description of its first edition.

Smoking is a major global risk factor for preventable death and disability. EAT is an acronym for Education Against Tobacco, a multinational network of physicians and medical students that aims to improve tobacco control by means of school-based prevention targeted at adolescents through counseling, use of software and support materials. The first EAT-Brazil Award, launched in March 2018, was a competition designed to encourage the proposal of objective solutions for tobacco control in Brasil, and identify new talents in the area. Brazilian undergraduate students from any field of study could submit a one-page essay on the subject, competing for the amount of R$ 1000.00 (one thousand reais). There were a total of 39 applicants (20 women and 19 men) from 9 Brazilian states and 18 undergraduate programs, with a mean age of 22.5 years (SD = 3.7). Data from an online anonymous questionnaire answered after the submission of their essays revealed that most applicants were students of institutions from in the state of Minas Gerais (n = 26/39; 66.6%), studied medicine (n = 20/39, 51.3%), and had no prior knowledge of the EAT-Brazil Network (n = 27/39, 69.2%). The winner of the award was Lucas Guimarães de Azevedo, a fourth-year medical student at Federal University of Western Bahia. The next editions of the award should focus on increasing the number of applicants and diversifying their geographical distribution.

A skin cancer prevention photoageing intervention for secondary schools in Brazil delivered by medical students: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of melanoma is increasing faster than any other major cancer both in Brazil and worldwide. The Southeast of Brazil has especially high incidences of melanoma, and early detection is low. Exposure to UV radiation represents a primary risk factor for developing melanoma. Increasing attractiveness is a major motivation for adolescents for tanning. A medical student-delivered intervention that harnesses the broad availability of mobile phones as well as adolescents' interest in their appearance may represent a novel method to improve skin cancer prevention. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We developed a free mobile app (Sunface), which will be implemented in at least 30 secondary school classes, each with 21 students (at least 30 classes with 21 students for control) in February 2018 in Southeast Brazil via a novel method called mirroring. In a 45 min classroom seminar, the students' altered three-dimensional selfies on tablets are 'mirrored' via a projector in front of their entire class, showing the effects of unprotected UV exposure on their future faces. External block randomisation via computer is performed on the class level with a 1:1 allocation. Sociodemographic data, as well as skin type, ancestry, UV protection behaviour and its predictors are measured via a paper-pencil questionnaire before as well as at 3 and 6 months postintervention. The primary end point is the group difference in the 30-day prevalence of daily sunscreen use at a 6-month follow-up. Secondary end points include (1) the difference in daily sunscreen use at a 3-month follow-up, (2) if a self-skin examination in accordance with the ABCDE rule was performed within the 6-month follow-up and (3) the number of tanning sessions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from the ethics committee of the University of Itauna. Results will be disseminated at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03178240; Pre-results.

A Medical Student-Delivered Smoking Prevention Program, Education Against Tobacco, for Secondary Schools in Brazil: Study Protocol for a Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the largest preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in Brazil. Education Against Tobacco (EAT) is a large network of medical students in 13 countries who volunteer for school-based prevention in the classroom setting. A recent quasi-experimental EAT study conducted in Germany showed significant short-term smoking cessation effects on 11- to 15-year-old adolescents. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is both to describe and to provide the first randomized long-term evaluation of the EAT intervention involving a photoaging app for its effectiveness to reduce the smoking prevalence among 12- to 17-year-old pupils in Brazilian public schools. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial will be conducted among approximately 1500 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in grades 7-11 of public secondary schools in Brazil. The prospective experimental study design includes measurements at baseline and at 6 and 12 months postintervention. The study groups will consist of randomized classes receiving the standardized EAT intervention (90 minutes of mentoring in a classroom setting) and control classes within the same schools (no intervention). The questionnaire measures smoking status, gender, social, and cultural aspects as well as predictors of smoking. Biochemical validation of smoking status is conducted via random carbon monoxide measurements. The primary end point is the difference of the change in smoking prevalence in the intervention group versus the difference in the control group at 12 months of follow-up. The differences in smoking behavior (smoking onset, quitting) between the 2 groups as well as effects on the different genders will be studied as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: The recruitment of schools, participating adolescents, and medical students was conducted from August 2016 until January 2017. The planned period of data collection is February 2017 until June 2018. Data analysis will follow in July 2018 and data presentation/publication will follow shortly thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first evaluative study of a medical student-delivered tobacco prevention program in Brazil and the first randomized trial on the long-term effectiveness of a school-based medical student-delivered tobacco prevention program in general. CLINICALTRIAL: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02725021; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02725021 (archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6njy3nNml).

A smoking prevention photoageing intervention for secondary schools in Brazil delivered by medical students: protocol for a randomised trial.

INTRODUCTION: Most smokers start smoking during their early adolescence, often with the idea that smoking is glamorous; the dramatic health consequences are too far in the future to fathom. We recently designed and tested an intervention that takes advantage of the broad availability of mobile phones as well as adolescents' interest in their appearance. A free photoageing mobile app (Smokerface) was implemented by medical students in secondary schools via a novel method called mirroring. The pupils' altered three-dimensional selfies on tablets were 'mirrored' via a projector in front of their whole grade. This is the first randomised trial to measure the effectiveness of the mirroring approach on smoking behaviour in secondary schools. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The mirroring intervention, which lasts 45 min, is implemented by Brazilian medical students in at least 35 secondary school classes with 21 participants each (at least 35 classes with 21 participants for control) in February 2018 in the city of Itauna, Brazil. External block randomisation via computer is performed on the class level with a 1:1 allocation. In addition to sociodemographic data, smoking behaviour is measured via a paper-pencil questionnaire before, 3 and 6 months postintervention plus a random carbon monoxide breathing test at baseline and end line. The primary outcome is cigarette smoking in the past week at 6 months follow-up. Smoking behaviour (smoking onset, quitting) and effects on the different genders are studied as secondary outcomes. Analysis is by intention to treat. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is obtained from the ethics committee of the University of Itauna in Brazil. Results will be disseminated at conferences, in peer-reviewed journals, throughout the Education Against Tobacco network social media channels and on our websites. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03178227.

EAT-Brazil Award for Tobacco Control: a brief description of its first edition

SUMMARY Smoking is a major global risk factor for preventable death and disability. EAT is an acronym for Education Against Tobacco, a multinational network of physicians and medical students that aims to improve tobacco control by means of school-based prevention targeted at adolescents through counseling, use of software and support materials. The first EAT-Brazil Award, launched in March 2018, was a competition designed to encourage the proposal of objective solutions for tobacco control in Brasil, and identify new talents in the area. Brazilian undergraduate students from any field of study could submit a one-page essay on the subject, competing for the amount of R$ 1000.00 (one thousand reais). There were a total of 39 applicants (20 women and 19 men) from 9 Brazilian states and 18 undergraduate programs, with a mean age of 22.5 years (SD = 3.7). Data from an online anonymous questionnaire answered after the submission of their essays revealed that most applicants were students of institutions from in the state of Minas Gerais (n = 26/39; 66.6%), studied medicine (n = 20/39, 51.3%), and had no prior knowledge of the EAT-Brazil Network (n = 27/39, 69.2%). The winner of the award was Lucas Guimarães de Azevedo, a fourth-year medical student at Federal University of Western Bahia. The next editions of the award should focus on increasing the number of applicants and diversifying their geographical distribution.

RESUMO O tabagismo é um dos principais fatores de risco globais para morte e incapacidade evitáveis. EAT é a sigla em inglês para Educação contra o Tabaco (Education Against Tobacco), uma rede mundial formada por médicos e estudantes de medicina cuja missão é atuar no combate ao tabagismo por meio da prevenção da iniciação ao tabagismo em adolescentes escolares mediante aconselhamento, uso de aplicativos móveis e de materiais de apoio. O primeiro Prêmio EAT-Brazil, lançado em março de 2018, foi um concurso destinado a encorajar a proposição de soluções objetivas para o avanço do controle do tabagismo no país e a identificação de novos talentos para a área. Estudantes de graduação brasileiros de qualquer curso submeteram um texto de uma página sobre o tema, concorrendo à quantia de R$ 1.000. Houve um total de 39 trabalhos inscritos (20 por mulheres e 19 por homens) de nove estados brasileiros e 18 cursos de graduação, com idade média de 22,5 anos (DP=3,7). Dados de um questionário anônimo on-line respondido pelos inscritos revelou que a maioria era composta por graduandos de alguma instituição do estado de Minas Gerais (n=26/39; 66,6%), que estudavam medicina (n=20/39; 51,3%) e não tinham conhecimento prévio sobre a Rede EAT-Brazil (n=27/39; 69,2%). O ganhador do prêmio foi Lucas Guimarães de Azevedo, aluno do oitavo período de medicina da Universidade Federal do Oeste da Bahia. As próximas edições do Prêmio devem focar o aumento do número de inscritos e a diversificação de sua distribuição geográfica.

Tratamento para queloides: revisão de literatura / Treatment of keloids: a literature review

Introdução: Queloides surgem de resposta excessiva à lesão da derme, resultando em proliferação de fibroblastos, produção exagerada de colágeno e comprometimento da pele sadia adjacente. O diagnóstico é clínico e muitos métodos conservadores e cirúrgicos já foram utilizados para tratamento. Porém, dados da eficácia desses tratamentos são limitados e não há consenso na literatura quanto a melhor técnica a ser empregada, permanecendo uma lacuna que necessita ser preenchida, a fim de que seus usos sejam indicados com maior confiabilidade, em um modelo de medicina baseada em evidências. Métodos: Revisão não sistemática da literatura sobre "queloides" nas bases de dados PubMed, Scielo, MEDLINE, UptoDate e livros-texto das áreas de Dermatologia e Cirurgia Dermatológica. Revisão de Literatura: Foram enumeradas e abordadas as principais informações sobre técnicas cirúrgicas e adjuvantes empregadas para essas lesões, que são: excisão, injeções intralesionais, crioterapia, laserterapia, revestimento com gel de silicone, radioterapia e pressoterapia. Torna-se relevante o levantamento dessas informações, tendo em vista que, além de poder causar dor, prurido e restrição de movimento, o principal motivo da procura de assistência médica para queloide é devido ao aspecto cosmético/estético, e as taxas de reincidência e falha terapêutica ainda são altas, sendo necessário conscientizar o paciente sobre o procedimento e seus efeitos. Conclusão: São muitos os tratamentos disponíveis para o queloide, sejam cirúrgicos ou não, todavia não há consenso sobre uma abordagem universalmente aceita. São necessários mais estudos, com a finalidade de definir a melhor conduta e atingir melhores resultados, visto a qualidade mediana das evidências apresentadas nos estudos.

Introduction: Keloids are characterized by an abnormal response to dermal trauma, resulting in fibroblast proliferation, excessive collagen production, and impairment of adjacent healthy tissue. The diagnosis is clinical, and many conservative and surgical methods can be used as treatments. However, data on the efficacy of these treatments are limited, and there is no consensus regarding the best treatment option. This gap needs to be filled by developing comprehensive evidence-based therapies. Methods: A non-systematic literature review of keloid scars was carried out using PubMed, Scielo, MEDLINE, UptoDate, and dermatology and dermatological surgery textbooks. Literature review: The search retrieved relevant information on surgical and adjuvant therapies used for keloids, including excision, intralesional injections, cryotherapy, laser therapy, silicone gel sheeting, radiation therapy, and pressure therapy. These data are crucial because, in addition to complaints of pain, itching, and restriction of movement, the main reason for seeking treatment for keloids is for cosmetic and aesthetic improvement, and the rates of recurrence and treatment failure are high, emphasizing the importance of creating awareness regarding the available procedures and their effectiveness. Conclusion: Many surgical and adjuvant therapies for keloids are available. Nonetheless, there is no consensus on a universally accepted treatment. Therefore, additional high-quality studies are needed to identify the most effective therapeutic approaches to achieve better results.