title: Evaluation of cognitive and behavioral effects of peer education model-based intervention to sun safe in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There have been many studies that evidence the health hazards of sunlight exposure, but less study on sun safe intervention model, especially in China. Our aim was to evaluate the cognitive and behavioral effects of a peer education model-based intervention to sun safe in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cluster random control intervention was conducted in one district in Chongqing, China. Two primary schools, selected through stratified clustered sampling approach (two grades in each school, three classes in each grade) were designated as intervention (n=304) and control schools (n=305) randomly. 36 students, selected as peer educators in intervention group, were trained for one month. Educational activities such as discussions were organized by peer educator for one month. There was no sun safe education to participants in control school during the project period. The evaluation of changes of sun safe knowledge (the primary outcome), attitude and behavior (the secondary outcome measures) were conducted before intervention and at months of 0, 1 and 6 of the intervention to two groups using quantitative and qualitative methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After the intervention, sun safe knowledge score which gained by the students from intervention group has been remarkably improved, compared to baseline survey (24.48±6.17 vs. 29.51±6.75) (P<0.001), and it kept this high level (29.02±7.96 and. 28.65±8.96), while control group students' scores have made no difference (P=0.410). Most of students have changed their sun safe behavior after the intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peer education program is somewhat effective in some dimensions for improving children's understanding of sun safe knowledge and behavior.
authors.affiliation: 1. Public Health & Management College, Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: 1. Public Health & Management College, Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Lingli
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: 2. Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, USA.
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: 2. Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, USA.
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: 1. Public Health & Management College, Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: 1. Public Health & Management College, Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: 1. Public Health & Management College, Chongqing Medical University , Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
keywords: Behavior; Children; China; Knowledge; Peer education; Sun safe