title: The impact of the kidskin sun protection intervention on summer suntan and reported sun exposure: was it sustained?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recognition that early sun exposure is an important risk factor for cutaneous melanoma in white populations has led to efforts to reduce children's sun exposure. 'Kidskin' was a non-randomized, school-based sun protection intervention trial in Perth, Western Australia (1995-1999). Its aim was to determine the extent to which such a program could reduce children's sun exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Kidskin involved 1614 children assigned to one of three groups: a Control, a 'Moderate' and a 'High' intervention group of 14, 11 and 8 schools respectively. The unit of assignment was the school. Control schools received the standard health education curriculum, while intervention schools received a multi-component intervention including a specially designed curriculum. The High intervention group received additional components. Outcomes included parent reported sun-related behaviors and objectively measured suntan at the end of summer vacation. These outcomes were observed every 2 years. Statistical analyses allowed for correlations between students within schools.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Kidskin initially had favorable effects on reported sun exposure and measured suntan. However, at the end of the 4-year program, and again 2 years later, little evidence of a favorable effect remained.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The benefits of childhood sun protection interventions may not last beyond the life of the program.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, PO Box 855, West Perth 6872, Western Australia. lizm@ichr.uwa.edu.au
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.forename: Billie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Giles-Corti
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: Robyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Dallas R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: English
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010290:Parents; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services; D013334:Students; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014904:Western Australia
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents