Assessment of personal care product use and perceptions of use in a sample of US adults affiliated with a university in the Northeast.

Evidence supports unequal burdens of chemical exposures from personal care products (PCPs) among some groups, namely femme-identifying and racial and ethnic minorities. In this study, we implemented an online questionnaire to assess PCP purchasing and usage behaviors and perceptions of use among a sample of US adults recruited at a Northeastern university. We collected PCP use across seven product categories (hair, beauty, skincare, perfumes/colognes, feminine hygiene, oral care, other), and behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions of use and safety across sociodemographic factors to evaluate relationships between sociodemographic factors and the total number of products used within the prior 24-48 h using multivariable models. We also summarized participants' perceptions and attitudes. Among 591 adults (20.0% Asian American/Pacific Islander [AAPI], 5.9% Hispanic, 9.6% non-Hispanic Black [NHB], 54.6% non-Hispanic White [NHW], and 9.9% multiracial or other), the average number of PCPs used within the prior 24-48 h was 15.6 ± 7.7. PCP use was greater among females than males (19.0 vs. 7.9, P < 0.01) and varied by race and ethnicity among females. Relative to NHWs, AAPI females used fewer hair products (2.5 vs. 3.1) and more feminine hygiene products (1.5 vs. 1.1), NHB females used more hair products (3.8 vs. 3.1), perfumes (1.0 vs. 0.6), oral care (2.3 vs. 1.9), and feminine hygiene products (1.8 vs. 1.1), and multiracial or other females used more oral care (2.2 vs. 1.9) and feminine hygiene products (1.5 vs. 1.1) (P-values <0.05). Generally, study participants reported moderate concern about exposures and health effects from using PCPs, with few differences by gender, race, and ethnicity. These findings add to the extant literature on PCP use across sociodemographic characteristics. Improving the understanding of patterns of use for specific products and their chemical ingredients is critical for developing interventions to reduce these exposures, especially in vulnerable groups with an unequal burden of exposure.

Moderators of the Effects of mySmartSkin, a Web-Based Intervention to Promote Skin Self-examination and Sun Protection Among Individuals Diagnosed With Melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the characteristics of persons who benefit more from behavioral interventions can help health care providers decide which individuals should be offered particular interventions because this is the subgroup of persons who are more likely to derive greater benefit from the intervention and refine the underlying constructs of the model guiding the intervention. PURPOSE: This study evaluated possible demographic, medical, knowledge and attitudinal, and psychosocial variables that may moderate the impact of an online intervention, called mySmartSkin (MSS), on engagement in skin self-examination (SSE) and sun protection behaviors among melanoma survivors. METHODS: Participants completed a baseline survey and were then randomized to the MSS condition or usual care. Follow-up surveys were completed by participants at 8-, 24-, and 48-week postrandomization. RESULTS: A greater impact of MSS on SSE was illustrated among participants with more phenotypic skin cancer risk factors and participants reporting lower baseline self-efficacy in conducting SSE. A more favorable response of MSS on sun protection behaviors was shown when initial knowledge about abnormal lesions and sun protection barriers were high. Greater use of MSS and more favorable evaluations of it were also associated with higher intervention response. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies seeking to improve SSE and sun protection among melanoma survivors might benefit from focusing on survivors who report more skin cancer risk factors, lower self-efficacy in conducting SSE, less knowledge about what abnormal skin lesions look like, more perceived barriers to sun protection behaviors, and less worry about recurrence and cancer-related distress.

mySmartCheck, a Digital Intervention to Promote Skin Self-examination Among Individuals Diagnosed With or at Risk for Melanoma: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Regular skin self-examination (SSE) reduces melanoma mortality but is not often conducted. PURPOSE: To promote SSE performance in individuals at increased risk for melanoma. METHODS: One hundred sixteen individuals at heightened risk for development of melanoma (i.e., personal/family history of melanoma, high-risk mole phenotype) who did not conduct a thorough SSE during in the prior 3 months were randomly assigned to receive either an automated internet-based intervention (mySmartCheck) or usual care (UC). One hundred sixteen participants completed surveys before random assignment and 99 completed the follow-up survey 13-weeks afterward. The primary outcome was participant self-reported examination (SSE) of all 15 parts of the body in the last 3 months. Secondary outcomes were SSE of any part of the body in the last 3 months and number of body parts examined during the last SSE. RESULTS: More mySmartCheck participants examined all 15 body parts (32.6% vs. 7.1%, p = .001). More individuals in mySmartCheck reported conducting SSE on any body part than those in UC (81.4% vs. 62.5%, p = .04). Effect sizes were large (d = 1.19 all 15 body parts) to moderate (d = 0.55 for any body part). mySmartCheck participants examined more body areas than UC participants (12.7 vs. 10.3, p = 0.003) during the last SSE. Participants in mySmartCheck reported higher levels of knowledge of suspicious lesions, SSE benefits, SSE self-efficacy, and planning for SSE, and lower SSE barriers, than those assigned to UC. CONCLUSIONS: mySmartCheck had a significant positive impact on SSE performance and behaviors. Additional research with a larger sample size, a longer follow-up, and more varied clinical settings is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov registration # NCT03725449 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03725449).

Correlates of Sun Protection Behaviors Among Adults in Puerto Rico.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of skin cancer has been increasing in Puerto Rico in recent years. Sun protection behaviors are suboptimal among Puerto Ricans. However, there are limited data regarding major factors associated with Puerto Rican adults' sun protection behaviors. To examine factors associated with Puerto Rican adults' sun protection behaviors, a survey study was conducted in Puerto Rico. METHOD: A population-based sample of 667 Puerto Rican adults completed a telephone survey in 2016. Survey items addressed potential correlates of sun protection behaviors. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses examining correlates of the sun protection behaviors index were conducted. RESULTS: Higher levels of sun protection behaviors were found among English language acculturated compared to Spanish language acculturated individuals (p < .05) and among individuals with private versus no health insurance (p < .05). Higher levels of sun protection behaviors were found among individuals with greater skin cancer knowledge (p < .001), fewer sun protection barriers (p < .01), and greater sun protection self-efficacy (p < .001). CONCLUSION: By identifying correlates of Puerto Rican adults' sun protection behaviors, this timely study provides insight on factors to target in future skin cancer interventions in this understudied population.

Sunburns and Sun Protection Behaviors among Male Hispanic Outdoor Day Laborers.

Individuals who work outside are at increased risk for skin cancer due to excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Little is known about UV exposures and sun safety practices of outdoor day laborers, who are disproportionately Hispanic. This study identified the correlates of sunburn and sun protection behaviors in a sample of male, Hispanic day laborers (n = 175). More than half of the participants (54.9%) experienced one or more sunburns when working during the past summer, and 62.9% reported having one or more symptoms of heat illness. The frequency of engaging in sun protection behaviors was suboptimal, including sunglasses use (M = 2.68, SD = 1.71), staying in the shade (M = 2.30, SD = 0.94), wearing sunscreen (M = 2.10, SD = 1.39), and wearing a wide-brimmed hat (M = 1.75, SD = 1.32), based on a 5-point scale (1 = never; 5 = always). Lower education level, higher levels of skin sensitivity to the sun, any symptom of heat illness, fewer barriers to wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and not wearing a wide-brimmed hat were associated with a greater number of sunburns. Factors associated with each sun protection behavior varied. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Randomized controlled trial of the mySmartSkin web-based intervention to promote skin self-examination and sun protection among individuals diagnosed with melanoma.

Adherence to regular, thorough skin self-examination (SSE) and consistent sun protection behaviors among melanoma survivors is relatively low. This study reports on the impact of an online intervention, called mySmartSkin (MSS), on engagement in SSE and sun protection behaviors among melanoma survivors, as well as the mediators of the intervention effects. The intervention was compared with usual care (UC), and primary outcomes were assessed at 24 and 48 weeks. Short-term outcomes were also evaluated at 8 weeks postbaseline. Results demonstrate a significant effect on SSE and sun protection. At all three follow-up assessments, the proportion of participants reporting conducting a thorough SSE in the time since the previous assessment was significantly greater in MSS than in UC. In addition, both multivariate and univariate analyses indicated that engagement in sun protection behaviors was significantly higher in MSS than UC at 24 weeks, but the effect on sun protection at 48 weeks was significant only in multivariate analyses. Beneficial effects of MSS were significantly mediated by knowledge about melanoma and characteristics of suspicious lesions, as well as self-efficacy. Participant engagement in MSS was satisfactory, with approximately two-thirds of participants completing at least two of the three core components. Content was rated as highly trusted, easy to understand, easy to navigate, and helpful. In conclusion, MSS illustrated significant and durable effects on SSE and mixed results on sun protection. Future studies should consider ways to further enhance treatment effects and engagement in MSS.

Prevalence and correlates of skin self-examination practices among cutaneous malignant melanoma survivors.

Melanoma patients are at elevated risk for recurrence of the primary cancer as well as second primary melanomas. Regular skin self-examination (SSE) is recommended as part of follow-up surveillance. In this study, we examined SSE performance and comprehensiveness as well as knowledge and attitudinal correlates of SSE performance and comprehensiveness. Four hundred forty-one melanoma survivors completed measures of SSE performance as well as knowledge and attitudes about SSE and melanoma. Approximately two-thirds of the sample reported having conducted an SSE in the past two months; the average number of body parts examined was 10.64 (out of 15 maximum). Only 7.5% of the sample checked all 15 body parts. Greater worry about recurrence, fewer barriers to SSE, more planning for when to conduct SSE, and more confidence in the ability to conduct SSE and recognize a suspicious growth were associated with both SSE performance and greater SSE comprehensiveness. Physician influence was positively associated with SSE performance. Survivor education efforts may benefit from reminding survivors to check hard-to-see and sensitive areas, develop a plan for how to ask for assistance in conducting exams, as well as use mirrors to see hard-to-reach areas. Addressing perceived SSE barriers, fostering SSE planning, and improving SSE self-efficacy may be important foci for intervention efforts to enhance SSE performance and comprehensiveness.