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A photoaging smartphone application to promote sun safety behaviors among youth in late childhood and adolescence.
- Source :
-
Pediatric Dermatology . Jul2024, Vol. 41 Issue 4, p641-645. 5p. - Publication Year :
- 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *MOBILE apps
*SUNSHINE
*TANNING salons
*ADOLESCENCE
*SKIN cancer
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 07368046
- Volume :
- 41
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Pediatric Dermatology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 178558256
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.15618