title: Effect of appearance-based education compared with health-based education on sunscreen use and knowledge: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Appearance-based education shows promise in promoting sunscreen use although resource-intensive methods used in prior studies preclude wide dissemination. Appearance-based video education can be made easily accessible.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to compare the effectiveness of appearance-based video education with that of health-based video education in improving sunscreen use and knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized controlled trial, participants viewed either an appearance-based video on ultraviolet-induced premature aging or a health-based video emphasizing ultraviolet exposure and skin cancer risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty high-school students participated in the study, conducted from February through March 2012. The health-based group had a nonstatistically significant increase in sunscreen use (0.9 ± 1.9 d/wk, P = .096), whereas the appearance-based group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in sunscreen use (2.8 ± 2.2, P < .001). Between-group comparisons revealed that the appearance-based group applied sunscreen at significantly greater frequencies compared with the health-based group (2.2 ± 1.4 vs 0.2 ± 0.6, P < .001). Knowledge scores significantly improved in both study groups. The difference in knowledge scores between the study groups was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study population may not reflect the general population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appearance-based video education appears to be effective in promoting sunscreen use and knowledge in adolescents.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Tuong
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado. Electronic address: aprilarmstrong@post.harvard.edu.
authors: April W
authors: AW
authors: Armstrong
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015595:Skin Aging; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014481:United States; D014743:Videotape Recording
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: adolescents; appearance-based education; behavioral change; skin cancer prevention; sunscreen use; video education