RESUMEN
Misinformation can undermine public health recommendations. Our team evaluated a 9-week social media campaign promoting COVID-19 prevention to mothers (n = 303) of teen daughters in January-March 2021. We implemented an epidemiological model for monitoring, diagnosing, and responding quickly to misinformation from mothers. Overall, 54 comments out of 1617 total comments (3.3%) from 20 mothers (6.6% of sample) contained misinformation. Misinformation was presented in direct statements and indirectly as hypothetical questions, source derogation, and personal stories, and attributed to others. Misinformation occurred most (n = 40; 74%) in comments on vaccination posts. The community manager responded to 48 (89%) misinformation comments by acknowledging the comment and rebutting misinformation. No mothers who provided misinformation left the Facebook groups and a few commented again (n = 10) or reacted (n = 3) to responses. Only a small number of comments conveyed misinformation. Our quick-response epidemiological protocol appeared to prevent debate and dropout and exposed these mothers to credible information.
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COVID-19 , Medios de Comunicación Sociales , Adolescente , Humanos , COVID-19/epidemiología , COVID-19/prevención & control , Comunicación , Salud Pública , VacunaciónRESUMEN
Increasing understanding of the risk and protective factors for adolescent nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) could inform prevention efforts. Several correlates have been identified, including parental factors, perceptions about use and accessibility, social norms, and age. However, these constructs have rarely been simultaneously examined using paired data from parents and adolescents. We aimed to examine the relative influence of these correlates among dyads (N=349) of mothers and adolescent daughters. Using multiple logistic regression, daughters' past NMUPD and inclination for future NMUPD were regressed onto descriptive norms for friend use, perceived drug accessibility and risk of harm from use, daughter age, mothers' disapproval about use, mothers' past NMUPD and inclination for future NMUPD, and the mother-daughter relationship quality. Akaike weights and lasso regressions were also estimated to evaluate the relative importance of each correlate. Higher descriptive norms for friend use, older age, and mothers' inclination for NMUPD were risk factors for daughters' NMUPD, while a closer mother-daughter relationship and mothers' disapproving attitudes towards NMUPD were protective factors. The three analysis approaches were corroborative. Results suggest friend descriptive norms, mother-daughter relationship quality, and mothers' attitudes about NMUPD are important prevention targets.
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In a social media campaign aimed at reducing mothers' permissiveness for indoor tanning (IT) by their teenage daughters, a secondary analysis of campaign engagement effects on IT outcomes was performed. Mothers (n = 869) with daughters aged 14-17 were recruited in 34 states that did not ban IT by minors under age 18 for a randomized trial with follow-up at 12 months (end of intervention) and 18 months (6 months after intervention) post-randomization. Daughters' (n = 469) baseline and follow-up responses were analyzed too. Mothers received a Facebook feed on adolescent health topics that included posts about preventing IT (intervention) or prescription drug misuse (control). Engagement was measured by extracting reactions (e.g., like, sad, etc.) and comments posted by mothers to the campaign posts. Overall, 76.4% of posts received a reaction and/or comment. Mothers who engaged with IT posts were less permissive of daughters' IT immediately at the conclusion of the campaign (permit IT: -0.39, p < .05; facilitate IT: -0.29, p < .05) and 6 months after intervention (permit IT: -0.32, p < .05; facilitate IT: -0.31, p < .05) than mothers who did not engage with posts. Engagement with posts was essential to the success of a social media campaign for preventing IT by minors by reducing mothers' permissiveness.
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Medios de Comunicación Sociales , Baño de Sol , Femenino , Adolescente , Humanos , MadresRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Occupational sun protection is recommended by government health authorities. Sun safety policies and predictors of managers' reports of sun safety actions were assessed. METHODS: Written policies from 21 state departments of transportation (DOTs) enrolled in a randomized trial to test methods for scaling-up an occupational sun safety intervention were coded for sun safety content at baseline. Managers (n = 1113) supervising outdoor workers reported on sun safety actions in a baseline survey. RESULTS: Twenty state DOTs (95.2%) have a policy with at least one sun protection component. Sun safety training was increased at workplaces with a written sun safety policy (p < 0.001) and unwritten standard procedures on sun protection (p < 0.001). Reported sun safety actions were highest where there was a written sun safety policy (p < 0.001) and unwritten standard procedures on sun protection (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Policies are essential for the implementation of employee sun safety. There is room for improvement in existing policies of state DOTs.
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Exposición Profesional/prevención & control , Salud Laboral , Política Organizacional , Luz Solar/efectos adversos , Transportes , Humanos , Gobierno Estatal , Estados Unidos , Lugar de Trabajo/organización & administraciónRESUMEN
Family communication about skin cancer risk may motivate protective behaviors. However, it is unclear how widespread such communication might be. In this study, we describe prevalence and patterns (across environmental, personal, and behavioral factors) of family communication about skin cancer across N = 600 diverse (79% female, 48% Hispanic, 44% non-Hispanic White) primary care patients from Albuquerque, New Mexico, a geographical location with year-round sun exposure. Over half reported discussing general cancer (77%) and skin cancer risks (66%) with their families. The most frequent target of skin cancer risk communication included doctors (54%), followed by friends/coworkers (49%), spouse/partner (43%), other family members (38%), sisters (36%), mothers (36%), daughters (33%), sons (32%), father (24%), and brothers (22%). On average, participants reported having talked to three family members about skin cancer risks. The most frequently discussed content of skin cancer risk communication was the use of sun protection (89%), followed by the personal risk of skin cancer (68%), who had skin cancer in the family (60%), family risk of skin cancer (59%), time of sun exposure (57%), and skin cancer screening (57%). A family or personal history of cancer, higher perceived risk, higher health literacy, being non-Hispanic, having higher education or income, and proactive sun protective behavior were associated with greater family communication about general cancer and skin cancer risks. These study findings have implications for interventions that encourage discussions about skin cancer risk, sun protection, and skin cancer screening that lead to adoption of sun-safe behaviors.
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Neoplasias Cutáneas , Protectores Solares , Comunicación , Femenino , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Hispánicos o Latinos , Humanos , Masculino , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & controlRESUMEN
Young melanoma survivors and their family are at increased risk for developing melanoma, but seldom engage in sun protection behaviors. Little is known about the role of family factors in sun protection. Our goals were: 1) examine correspondence between survivors and family sun protection, individual attitudes, and family attitudes and communication about risk-reducing behaviors, and; 2) evaluate the mediating role of family attitudes and communication in the association between individual sun protection attitudes and behavior. Measures of individual attitudes, family attitudes and communication, and sun protection behaviors were completed by 529 participants. Multilevel modeling assessed family correspondence in sun-related attitudes and behaviors and mediation. Families had varying levels of shared attitudes and behaviors, with higher correspondence for family norms. Survivors reported stronger family norms, greater family benefits, and more discussion than siblings. For both sexes, family discussion was associated with higher sun protection. For women only, more favorable attitudes were associated with sun protection partly because women discussed sun protection with family and held stronger norms. Because families' attitudes and practices correspond, family-focused interventions may prove effective. Among females, increasing risk awareness and sunscreen efficacy and overcoming barriers may foster enhanced normative standards, communication about, and engagement in sun protection.
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Supervivientes de Cáncer , Melanoma , Neoplasias Cutáneas , Quemadura Solar , Comunicación , Familia , Femenino , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & control , Quemadura Solar/prevención & control , Protectores Solares/uso terapéutico , Sobrevivientes , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure is the primary risk factor for skin cancer and children receive about one-quarter of lifetime UV exposure before age 18. Thus, skin cancer prevention is essential for children. The objective of this study was to test an intervention to facilitate implementation of district sun safety policies. Elementary schools (N = 118) from 40 California public school districts with a school board-approved policy for sun safety were recruited along with one principal and teacher from each school. Elementary schools were randomly assigned to receive the 20-month Sun Safe Schools intervention (N = 58) or to a minimal informational control condition (N = 60). Principals were 47.8 and teachers 44.3 years of age and were predominately female (principals 72.7%; teachers 86.7%) and White (principals 72.0%; teachers 68.2%). The 20-month Sun Safe Schools intervention was delivered to principals and included a coaching session, telephone and email contacts, provision of resources for practice implementation, and a small grant program. The principal (N = 118) and a teacher (N = 113) at each school reported on school sun protection practices 20-months post-baseline. The schools were diverse in student characteristics (M = 64.1% free/reduced price meals; M = 54.5% Hispanic). Intervention principals reported implementing more sun safety practices overall (control M = 2.7, intervention M = 4.2, p < .005) and more practices not present in the district's policy (control M = 0.4, intervention M = 0.9, p = .005). Principals and teachers combined replicated these findings and also reported implementing more practices present in the district policy (control M = 0.9, intervention M = 1.3, p = .005). In sum, the intervention increased sun safety practices in public elementary schools. Trial Registration. This study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, with the identification number of NCT03243929.
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Políticas , Servicios de Salud Escolar , Luz Solar , Rayos Ultravioleta , Adolescente , California , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Instituciones Académicas , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & control , Luz Solar/efectos adversosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Outdoor workers experience chronic exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation (UV) elevating their risk for skin cancer. METHODS: A controlled randomized trial promoted the adoption of workplace sun safety policy and employee education at 98 public organizations in Colorado. A 2-year follow-up study with 68 organizations assessed the association of senior manager awareness of sun safety policies and implementation of sun safety actions. RESULTS: Senior managers' awareness of existing sun safety policies, but not their personal sun protection behaviors, predicted implementation of sun safety actions including the number of sun protection messages and sun protection items in the workplace and increased communication about sun safety to employees. CONCLUSIONS: Organizational adoption of sun safety policy must include efforts to broadly inform a workplace's senior management to ensure the policies are actually implemented and provide support for sun protection behaviors by outdoor workers to reduce UV exposure and skin cancer risk.
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Implementación de Plan de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Política Organizacional , Administración de la Seguridad/organización & administración , Lugar de Trabajo/organización & administración , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Adulto , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermedades Profesionales/prevención & control , Enfermedades Profesionales/psicología , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Exposición Profesional/prevención & control , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & control , Neoplasias Cutáneas/psicología , Rayos Ultravioleta/efectos adversosRESUMEN
CONTEXT: Six US states have implemented retail sales of recreational marijuana. Training in responsible sales practices has been effective in the alcohol market. An online responsible marijuana vendor (RMV) training was produced and implemented with stores in a randomized trial. PROGRAM: An online RMV training was developed through meetings with state regulators and local law enforcement personnel, curriculum standards published by the Colorado Marijuana Enforcement Division in May 2015, interviews with recreational marijuana store personnel (n = 15), and usability testing of a prototype training with store personnel (n = 19) in Colorado and Washington State. The training contained 5 modules: state laws and regulations, ID checking, health effects of marijuana, customer service practices including recognizing intoxicated patrons, and rules of the trade. IMPLEMENTATION: A randomized controlled trial testing the training enrolled a random sample of state-licensed retail recreational marijuana stores (n = 225) in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington State. In total, 125 stores were randomly assigned to receive the RMV training. A total of 420 store employees completed the online training between June 2017 and February 2018 (43.5% female, 88.4% younger than 40 years, and 74.1% non-Hispanic white). EVALUATION: Responses to posttraining surveys showed that most trainees found the training user-friendly (78.4%), were satisfied (68.8%), and would recommend it to another employee (91.1%). The training improved trainees' ability to check IDs (pretraining mean = 3.91 [SD = 1.36], posttraining mean = 4.58 [SD = 0.66], t387,388 = 8.68, P < .001) and their confidence to use the state's inventory tracking system (pretraining mean = 2.52 [SD = 0.65], posttraining mean = 2.85 [SD = 0.39], t387, 388 = 10.89, P < .001) and spot intoxicated customers (pretraining mean = 2.79 [SD = 0.41], posttraining mean = 2.94 [SD = 0.25], t387,388 = 6.87, P < .001). DISCUSSION: Online RMV training was acceptable to retail recreational marijuana personnel and potentially improved responsible sales practices. Responsible vendor training has been successful under certain conditions in the alcohol market and should be considered for the recreational marijuana market.
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Comercio/métodos , Uso de la Marihuana/economía , Enseñanza/normas , Colorado , Comercio/normas , Educación a Distancia/métodos , Educación a Distancia/normas , Humanos , Oregon , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud/métodos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , WashingtónRESUMEN
The homophily principle that perceived similarities among people produce positive reactions is a cross-cultural, global phenomenon. The prediction that photographs depicting models similar to the target population improve health communication was tested. Three nationally-representative samples (n = 1,796) of adults who are disabled, seniors, or considered overweight/obese were selected from GfK's Knowledge Panel®. Participants read a message promoting physical activity and improved diets and responded to assessments of behavioral intentions, outcome and self-efficacy expectations, and identification. Photographs from a stock photograph service versus photographs created for the research project to match the three populations, Real Health Photos (RHP), were included in the message. Structural equation modeling confirmed that RHP which matched the population increased behavioral intentions mediated by identification (p < 0.05) in the physically-disabled and overweight/obese samples. Messages with only half of the matched RHP images had these same positive indirect effects (p < 0.05). Matched visual images in health messages improved effectiveness by capitalizing on the homophily and identification processes. Health educators should leverage these hardwired, evolutionary, biological phenomena that extend to health status as well as race and ethnicity. For optimal effects, not all persons shown need to be homophilous to the target audience, reducing logistical difficulties in showing diverse persons of various types.
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Personas con Discapacidad , Comunicación en Salud/métodos , Obesidad , Fotograbar , Anciano , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Policy is a key aspect of school-based efforts to prevent skin cancer. We explored the extent and accuracy of knowledge among principals and teachers in California public school districts about the elements specified in their district's written sun safety policy. METHODS: The sample consisted of California public school districts that subscribed to the California School Boards Association, had an elementary school, adopted Board Policy 5141.7 for sun safety, and posted it online. The content of each policy was coded. Principals (n = 118) and teachers (n = 113) in elementary schools were recruited from September 2013 through December 2015 and completed a survey on sun protection policies and practices from January 2014 through April 2016. RESULTS: Only 38 of 117 principals (32.5%) were aware that their school district had a sun protection policy. A smaller percentage of teachers (13 of 109; 11.9%) than principals were aware of the policy (F108 = 12.76, P < .001). We found greater awareness of the policy among principals and teachers who had more years of experience working in public education (odds ratio [OR] = 1.05, F106 = 4.71, P = .03) and worked in schools with more non-Hispanic white students (OR = 7.65, F109 = 8.61, P = .004) and fewer Hispanic students (OR = 0.28, F109 = 4.27, P = .04). CONCLUSION: Policy adoption is an important step in implementing sun safety practices in schools, but districts may need more effective means of informing school principals and teachers of sun safety policies. Implementation will lag without clear understanding of the policy's content by school personnel.
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Conocimientos, Actitudes y Práctica en Salud , Política Organizacional , Maestros/estadística & datos numéricos , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & control , Adulto , California , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Instituciones Académicas/organización & administración , Quemadura Solar/prevención & control , Luz Solar/efectos adversos , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To test whether shade sails will increase the use of passive recreation areas (PRAs). METHODS: We conducted a stratified randomized pretest-posttest controlled design study in Melbourne, Australia, and Denver, Colorado, in 2010 to 2014. We randomized a sample of 144 public parks with 2 PRAs in full sun in a 1:3 ratio to treatment or control. Shade sails were built at 1 PRA per treatment park. The outcome was any use of the study PRA (n = 576 pretest and n = 576 posttest observations; 100% follow-up). RESULTS: Compared with control PRAs (adjusted probability of use: pretest = 0.14, posttest = 0.17), use of treatment PRAs (pretest = 0.10, posttest = 0.32) was higher at posttest (odds ratio [OR] = 3.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.71, 8.94). Shade increased use of PRAs in Denver (control: pretest = 0.18, posttest = 0.19; treatment: pretest = 0.16, posttest = 0.47) more than Melbourne (control: pretest = 0.11, posttest = 0.14; shaded: pretest = 0.06, posttest = 0.19; OR = 2.98; 95% CI = 1.09, 8.14). CONCLUSIONS: Public investment in shade is warranted for skin cancer prevention and may be especially useful in the United States. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02971709.
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Planificación Ambiental , Parques Recreativos , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & control , Adolescente , Adulto , Australia , Planificación de Ciudades , Colorado , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estudios Prospectivos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
During vacations, many individuals receive high-risk sun exposure that is associated with skin cancer. Vacationers in outdoor recreation venues (pretest n=4347; posttest n=3986) at warm-weather destination resorts in North America (n=41) were enrolled in a pair-matched, group-randomized pretest-posttest controlled quasi-experimental design in 2012-14. Print, audiovisual, and online messages based on Transportation Theory and Diffusion of Innovation Theory and promoting advanced sun protection (e.g., use of clothing, hats, shade and pre-application/reapplication of sunscreen and reliable cues to high UV) were delivered through resort channels. Vacationers' sun protection practices observed by trained research staff (i.e., body coverage and shade use analyzed individually and in combined scores) did not differ by experimental condition (p>0.05) or intervention implementation (p>0.05). However, recreation venue moderated intervention impact. The intervention improved sun protection at waterside recreation venues (z-score composite: intervention pre=-22.74, post=-15.77; control pre=-27.24, post=-23.24) but not non-waterside venues (z-score composite: intervention pre=20.43, post=20.53; control pre=22.94, post=18.03, p<0.01). An additional analysis showed that resorts with greater program implementation showed more improvements in sun protection by vacationers at waterside (z=score composite: high implementation pre=-25.45, post=-14.05; low implementation pre=-24.70, post=-21.40) compared to non-waterside (z-score composite: high implementation pre=14.51, post=19.98; low implementation pre=24.03, post=18.98, p<0.01) recreation venues. The intervention appeared effective with the vacationers in recreation venues with the highest-risk for sun exposure, waterside venues. However, it was not effective throughout all the resort venues, possibly because of the sun-seeking desires of vacationers, information overload at the resorts, and constraints on clothing styles and sun protection by recreation activity.
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Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Recreación , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & control , Protectores Solares/uso terapéutico , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , América del Norte , Ropa de Protección/estadística & datos numéricos , Quemadura Solar/prevención & control , Rayos Ultravioleta/efectos adversosRESUMEN
Taking vacations in sunny locations is associated with the development of skin cancer. This study tested a multi-component sun protection intervention based on diffusion of innovations theory and transportation theory designed to increase vacationers' comprehensive sun protection, i.e., use of clothing, hats, and shade, and use, pre-application, and reapplication of sunscreen. The trial enrolled 41 warm weather resorts in North America in a pair-matched group randomized pretest-posttest design and assessed samples of adult vacationers at resort outdoor recreation venues regarding sun protection at pretest (n = 3,531) and posttest (n = 3,226). While results showed no overall effect of the intervention on comprehensive sun protection across venues, the intervention produced statistically significant improvements in sun protection at waterside venues (pools and beaches). The intervention's overall effects may have been impeded by a lack of uniformly robust implementation, low interest in skin cancer prevention by guests, or shortcomings of the theories used to create prevention messages. The intervention may have worked best with guests in the highest-risk recreation venue, i.e., waterside recreation where they exposed the most skin. Alternative approaches that alter resort organizations, such as through changes in policy, environmental features, or occupational efforts might be more effective than targeting vacationers with behavior-change messages.
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Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Ropa de Protección/estadística & datos numéricos , Recreación , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & control , Protectores Solares/uso terapéutico , Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , América del Norte , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Quemadura Solar/prevención & control , Rayos Ultravioleta/efectos adversos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
The epidemiology of melanoma is complex, and individual risk depends on sun exposure, host factors, and genetic factors, and in their interactions as well. Sun exposure can be classified as intermittent, chronic, or cumulative (overall) exposure, and each appears to have a different effect on type of melanoma. Other environmental factors, such as chemical exposures-either through occupation, atmosphere, or food-may increase risk for melanoma, and this area warrants further study. Host factors that are well known to be important are the numbers and types of nevi and the skin phenotype. Genetic factors are classified as high-penetrant genes, moderate-risk genes, or low-risk genetic polymorphisms. Subtypes of tumors, such as BRAF-mutated tumors, have different risk factors as well as different therapies. Prevention of melanoma has been attempted using various strategies in specific subpopulations, but to date optimal interventions to reduce incidence have not emerged.
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Melanoma/etiología , Melanoma/prevención & control , Interacción Gen-Ambiente , Humanos , Melanoma/epidemiología , Melanoma/genética , Mutación , Exposición Profesional/efectos adversos , Factores de Riesgo , Luz Solar/efectos adversosRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Vacationing at sunny, warm weather locations is a risk factor for excessive solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure and skin cancer. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association of environmental variables related to UV levels with vacationers' sun protection. METHODS: Vacationers at 41 summer resorts in 17 states and 1 Canadian Province were interviewed (n=3531) and observed (N=4347) during 2012 and 2013. Clothing coverage, sunglasses, and shade use were observed. Use of sunscreen and sunburns were self-reported. Environmental information was recorded by research staff or acquired from ground stations and the weather service. RESULTS: Temperature was positively associated with sun protection behaviors; however clothing coverage was negatively associated with temperature. Cloud cover was negatively associated with sun protection, with the exception of clothing coverage which was positively associated with it. Elevation showed a mixed pattern of associations with vacationer's sun protection. Latitude of a resort was negatively associated with most sun protection behaviors, such that sun protection increased at more southerly resorts. Similarly, the farther south a vacationer traveled to the resort, the less sun protection they employed. The UV index showed a weak, positive relationship with some sun protection behaviors even when controlling for temperature. CONCLUSIONS: Vacationers appeared aware that UV is higher at southern latitudes and may learn UV is intense when living in southern regions. However, many used temperature, an unreliable cue, to judge UV intensity and seemed to adjust clothing for warmth not UV protection. Efforts are needed to help individuals make more accurate sun safety decisions.
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Exposición a Riesgos Ambientales/prevención & control , Quemadura Solar/prevención & control , Protectores Solares/administración & dosificación , Rayos Ultravioleta/efectos adversos , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Altitud , Canadá , Vestuario , Femenino , Geografía , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Estaciones del Año , Luz Solar/efectos adversos , Temperatura , Estados Unidos , Tiempo (Meteorología) , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
An online survey was conducted with health educators in Colorado to ascertain their needs and ability to access relevant stock art photographs for their print and electronic educational media. Health educators were dissatisfied with the cultural and demographic diversity of photographs available from their own sources or from commercial stock art websites. There was a perceived need for more photographs that would better represent their target populations. The health educators believed, furthermore, that representative visual images can help improve their message effectiveness.
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Arte , Diversidad Cultural , Comunicación en Salud/métodos , Educadores en Salud/psicología , Conducta en la Búsqueda de Información , Fotograbar , Adulto , Anciano , Colorado , Diseño Asistido por Computadora , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Informática Médica , Persona de Mediana Edad , Comunicación Persuasiva , Materiales de Enseñanza , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Health promotion programs that develop and implement strategies to promote sun safety practices to children have the potential to reduce skin cancer occurrence later in life. Go Sun Smart (GSS), a sun safety program for employees and guests of ski areas, was distributed to determine if an enhanced dissemination strategy was more effective than a basic dissemination strategy at reaching parents at ski and snowboard schools. On-site observations of GSS use and surveys of 909 parents/caregivers with children enrolled in ski and snowboard schools at 63 ski areas were conducted and analyzed using techniques for clustered designs. No differences were identified by dissemination strategy. Greater implementation of GSS (>5 messages posted) was associated with greater parental recall, 36.6% versus 16.7%, of materials, but not greater sun protection practices. Greater recall of messages, regardless of level of implementation, resulted in greater sun protection practices including applying sunscreen (p < .05), providing sunglasses and goggles (p < .01), and more use of all sun protection practices (p < .01). Ski areas with more program materials appeared to reach parents with sun safety advice and thus convinced them to take more precautions for their children. Sun safety need not be at odds with children's outdoor recreation activities.
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Promoción de la Salud/métodos , Esquí , Neoplasias Cutáneas/prevención & control , Quemadura Solar/prevención & control , Protectores Solares/uso terapéutico , Adolescente , Adulto , Colombia Británica , Niño , Preescolar , Dispositivos de Protección de los Ojos , Femenino , Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Humanos , Entrevistas como Asunto , Masculino , Recuerdo Mental , Folletos , Padres/psicología , Curva ROC , Administración de la Seguridad/métodos , Instituciones Académicas , Estados Unidos , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Go Sun Smart is a theory-based health communication program designed to influence sun-protection behaviors of employees and guests at high-altitude ski areas to reduce skin cancer risk. The effects of Go Sun Smart, in a Phase IV dissemination randomized posttest-only trial, on sun-protection behaviors of ski area guests are reported. Program use was assessed by on-site observation and guest message exposure, and sun protection was measured in intercept surveys at ski areas. Dissemination strategy-enhanced versus basic-was not significantly related to sun safety practices. Additional analyses examined the relation between message exposure and guests' sun safety practices. Ski areas displaying at least 6 Go Sun Smart materials in guest-only areas and 9 Go Sun Smart materials throughout the area increased guests' message exposure. Higher message exposure within the high-use ski areas was associated with improved sun protection by guests but not within the low-use ski areas. The authors underscore the importance of program implementation and message exposure on the success of evidence-based health communication efforts applied industrywide.
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Altitud , Comunicación en Salud/métodos , Ropa de Protección/estadística & datos numéricos , Esquí , Quemadura Solar/prevención & control , Protectores Solares/uso terapéutico , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Evaluación de Programas y Proyectos de Salud , Investigación Cualitativa , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Basic communication research has identified a major social problem: communicating about cancer from diagnosis through death of a loved one. Over the past decade, an award-winning investigation into how family members talk through cancer on the telephone, based on a corpus of 61 phone calls over a period of 13 months, has been transformed into a theatrical production entitled The Cancer Play. All dialogue in the play is drawn from naturally occurring (transcribed) interactions between family members as they navigate their way through the trials, tribulations, hopes, and triumphs of a cancer journey. This dramatic performance explicitly acknowledges the power of the arts as an exceptional learning tool for extending empirical research, exploring ordinary family life, and exposing the often taken-for-granted conceptions of health and illness. In this study, a Phase I STTR project funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), we assess the feasibility of educating and impacting cancer patients, family members, and medical professionals who viewed the play as a live performance and through DVD screenings. Pre- and postperformance questionnaires were administered to solicit audience feedback. Pre-post change scores demonstrate overwhelming and positive impacts for changing opinions about the perceived importance, and attributed significance, of family communication in the midst of cancer. Paired-sample t-tests were conducted on five factor-analyzed indices/indicators-two indices of opinions about cancer and family communication, two indices measuring the importance of key communication activities, and the self-efficacy indicator-and all factors improved significantly (<.001). Informal talkback sessions were also held following the viewings, and selected audience members participated in focus groups. Talkback and focus-group sessions generated equally strong, support responses. Implications of the Phase I study are being applied in Phase II, a currently funded effort to disseminate the play nationally and to more rigorously test its impact on diverse audiences. Future directions for advancing research, education, and training across diverse academic and health care professions are discussed.