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.
Eur J Cancer Prev
; 29(1): 89-91, 2020 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30998526
ABSTRACT
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.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Neoplasias Cutâneas
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Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde
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Promoção da Saúde
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Melanoma
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
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Etiology_studies
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Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Cancer Prev
Assunto da revista:
NEOPLASIAS
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido