A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of Facebook compared to leaflets in raising awareness of melanoma and harmful sun-related behaviour among young adults.

This study describes a randomised control trial investigating whether printed leaflets or social media are more effective in increasing knowledge of the risks of sun exposure and melanoma in people aged 18-29. The study participants were 18-29-year-old university students or graduates, recruited in London. A baseline level of knowledge was measured using the Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge questionnaire. Study participants were then randomised into either a leaflet arm or Facebook arm. Identical information was delivered through a SunSafe campaign via either posted leaflets or Facebook during a 10-day exposure window. Following this, participants repeated the Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge questionnaire. Following the SunSafe intervention, the mean knowledge score improved in both groups to a statistically significant degree (Facebook = 1.82, leaflets = 3.04, P < 0.001). Moreover, the improvement in knowledge score of the leaflet arm was statistically significantly greater than in the Facebook arm (95% confidence interval: 0.35-2.09, P = 0.0059). Participants of lighter skin colour demonstrated greater levels of knowledge about skin cancer and sun exposure at baseline (P = 0.005; P < 0.05). There was no correlation between sex and baseline knowledge (P = 0.7725). There was no significant effect of skin tone or sex on the knowledge change (P = 0.139 and 0.643). The findings suggest that printed information in the form of leaflets is more impactful in increasing knowledge than online platforms such as Facebook among a young adult demographic in the UK. These findings should be considered when designing public health campaigns, acting as a reminder to not neglect traditional media in health promotion.

Preliminary evidence for mediation of the association between acculturation and sun-safe behaviors.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and test mediators of the relationship between acculturation and sun-safe behaviors among Latinos in the United States. We hypothesized that the effect of acculturation on use of sunscreen, shade, and sun-protective clothing would be mediated by perceived health status, educational level, access to health care, and contact with social networks regarding health matters. DESIGN: The 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey, implemented by the National Cancer Institute. SETTING: Nationwide survey. PARTICIPANTS: A probability-based sample of the US civilian, noninstitutionalized adult population, comprising 496 Latino respondents. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Use of sunscreen, shade, and sun-protective clothing when outdoors on sunny days, assessed by self-report on frequency scales. RESULTS: The positive association between acculturation and sunscreen use and the negative association between acculturation and use of sun-protective clothing were mediated by educational level (P < .05 for both). Perceived health status and contact with social networks regarding health matters were supported as mediators for sunscreen use only (P < .05). Health care access was not supported as a mediator for any of the outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Structural equation models revealed distinct direct and indirect paths between acculturation and each sun-safe practice. Our findings emphasize behavior-specific mediated associations and could inform sun safety programming for Latinos with low and high levels of acculturation. The models support educational level, contact with social networks regarding health matters, and perceived health status as mediators primarily for sunscreen use. Future research should test different mediators for use of shade or sun-protective clothing.