Accepted for/Published in: JMIR mHealth and uHealth
Date Submitted: Apr 22, 2021
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 22, 2021 - Jun 17, 2021
Date Accepted: Aug 3, 2021
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Reactivity to Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure Monitoring Using Personal Exposure Devices for Skin Cancer Prevention: Longitudinal Observational Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Emerging ultraviolet radiation (UVR) monitoring devices may present an opportunity to integrate such technology into skin cancer prevention interventions. However, little is known about the effect of using a wearable UVR monitor on adult’s and children’s sun protection related behaviors and attitudes (e.g., cancer worry, perceived risk).
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine potential reactivity associated with a wearable personal UVR monitor, specifically effects associated with reported sun protective behaviors and skin cancer-related attitudes.
Methods:
Child-parent dyads (n=97 dyads) were asked to wear a UVR monitoring device during waking hours for two weeks. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing sun protective behaviors, sunburn, tanning, skin self-exam, skin cancer related knowledge, perceived risk, cancer worry, response efficacy, and intentions to change behaviors over the two-week period. Linear regressions were conducted to investigate change over time in outcomes, and to account for the role of season of study participation.
Results:
ion outcomes including time spent outdoors, sunscreen use, reapplication, and unintentional tanning. Additionally, season of participation was associated with several outcomes including sunscreen use, reapplication, and unintentional tanning. In contrast, there were no significant changes over time in children’s and parent’s UVR exposure, sunburn occurrence, or sun protection behaviors and related attitudes.
Conclusions:
The findings from this study suggest that daily use of a UVR monitoring device over a two-week period may result in changes in certain sun protective behaviors. These results highlight the importance of identifying and addressing potential reactivity to UVR monitoring devices, especially in the context of skin cancer preventive intervention research.
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