title: A randomised trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of electronic messages on sun protection behaviours.
abstract: Message exposure is effective at changing a variety of health behaviours. Our aim was to improve sun protection habits of a volunteer sample. We conducted a randomised, non-blinded, investigator-initiated trial (from 1st June to 31st August in 2011) on the effect of an electronic text-message system on sun protection behaviours. The assessments of 149 healthy volunteer participants took place at the Clinical Department of Dermatology and Allergology at the University of Szeged in Hungary. Psychological and medical assessments were also made. Total motivation scores for adherence to sunscreen use improved at a nearly significant level (t=-1.954, p=0.054). The intervention group used sunscreens more often than the other groups according to their sun exposure diaries (F=8.173, p<0.05) and their interview results (F=3.44, p<0.05). Using electronic messages offers an effective method to improve sun protection behaviours. Our intervention is a cost-effective method and it can easily be implemented at worksites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Korányi fasor 6., 6720 Szeged, Hungary. Electronic address: szabo.csanad@med.u-szeged.hu.
authors.forename: Csanád
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Szabó
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University of Szeged, Korányi fasor 6., 6720 Szeged, Hungary. Electronic address: ocsaih@t-online.hu.
authors.forename: Henriette
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ócsai
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, University of Szeged, Egyetem u. 2., 6722 Szeged, Hungary. Electronic address: csabaimarta.1@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Márta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Csabai
authors.affiliation: MTA-SZTE Dermatological Research Group, University of Szeged, Korányi fasor 6., 6720 Szeged, Hungary. Electronic address: info.derma@med.u-szeged.hu.
authors.forename: Lajos
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kemény
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D009042:Motivation; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012449:Safety; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060145:Text Messaging
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D013473:Sunscreening Agents
keywords: Cancer prevention; Clinical trial; Health communication; Sun exposure