title: The HealthyTexts study: a randomized controlled trial to improve skin cancer prevention behaviors among young people.
abstract: Several randomized trials have found behavior change programs delivered via text messaging to be efficacious to improve preventive health behaviors such as physical activity and stopping smoking; however few have assessed its value in skin cancer prevention or early detection. The HealthyTexts study enrolled 678 participants 18-42 years, and assigned them to receive 21 text messages about skin cancer prevention, skin self-examination or physical activity (attention control) over the course of one year. Baseline data have been collected and outcomes will be assessed at three months and twelve months post-intervention. The trial aims to increase the mean overall sun protection habits index score from 2.3 to 2.7 with a standard deviation of 0.5 (effect size of 0.5) and the proportion of people who conduct a whole-body skin self-examination by an absolute 10%. This paper describes the study design and participants' baseline characteristics. In addition, participants' goals for their health, and strategies they apply to achieve those goals are summarized.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. m.janda@qut.edu.au
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Janda
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Youl
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Soyer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baade
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016353:Self-Examination; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012944:Social Support; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult