USF-LVHN SELECT
A photoaging smartphone application to promote sun safety behaviors among youth in late childhood and adolescence.
Publication/Presentation Date
5-21-2024
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV)-exposure behaviors can directly impact an individual's skin cancer risk, with many habits formed during childhood and adolescence. We explored the utility of a photoaging smartphone application to motivate youth to improve sun safety practices.
METHODS: Participants completed a preintervention survey to gather baseline sun safety perceptions and behaviors. Participants then used a photoaging mobile application to view the projected effects of chronic UV exposure on participants' self-face image over time, followed by a postintervention survey to assess motivation to engage in future sun safety practices.
RESULTS: The study sample included 87 participants (median [interquartile (IQR)] age, 14 [11-16] years). Most participants were White (50.6%) and reported skin type that burns a little and tans easily (42.5%). Preintervention sun exposure behaviors among participants revealed that 33 (37.9%) mostly or always used sunscreen on a sunny day, 48 (55.2%) experienced at least one sunburn over the past year, 26 (30.6%) engaged in outdoor sunbathing at least once during the past year, and zero (0%) used indoor tanning beds. Non-skin of color (18 [41.9%], p = .02) and older (24 [41.4%], p = .007) participants more often agreed they felt better with a tan. Most participants agreed the intervention increased their motivation to practice sun-protective behaviors (wear sunscreen, 74 [85.1%]; wear hats, 64 [74.4%]; avoid indoor tanning, 73 [83.9%]; avoid outdoor tanning, 68 [79%]).
CONCLUSION: The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that a photoaging smartphone application may serve as a useful tool to promote sun safety behaviors from a young age.
ISSN
1525-1470
Published In/Presented At
Abraham, J., Natarelli, N., Boby, A., Wei, G., Hennessy, K., Moore, S., Bindernagel, C., Dabrow, S., Soylu, L., Brinker, T. J., Seminario-Vidal, L., & Albers, S. (2024). A photoaging smartphone application to promote sun safety behaviors among youth in late childhood and adolescence. Pediatric dermatology, 10.1111/pde.15618. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.15618
Disciplines
Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
38770539
Department(s)
USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students
Document Type
Article