An innovative, curriculum-based integrated sun exposure behavior intervention for

描述（由申请人提供）：尽管基于避免阳光照射教育的初级预防工作得到广泛开展，但全球范围内黑色素瘤的发病率仍在持续上升。儿童时期的日晒不仅会增加患黑色素瘤的风险，而且还会形成一生的日晒和防晒模式。在许多采取了涉及儿童教育的具体初级预防措施的地区，对总体黑色素瘤负担的影响很小。这很可能是因为，正如之前大量的研究表明的那样，在“安全”的阳光照射知识和由此产生的行为改变之间存在脱节。本研究的目的是测试一种新的基于课堂的动手教育干预，以激励青少年限制他们的阳光照射，并影响阳光照射行为的改变。我们已经在洛杉矶地区的学校开展了5年的SunSmart教育项目，并旨在利用这些已建立的关系来确保这项研究的成功。我们将从至少18所学校招募至少1575名学生参加一个

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Melanoma incidence rates continue to increase worldwide, despite widespread efforts at primary prevention based on sun exposure avoidance education. Childhood sun exposure not only increases melanoma risk, but also establishes lifetime patterns of sun exposure and protection. In many areas where specific primary prevention efforts involving childhood education have been adopted, little impact on the overall melanoma burden has been realized. This is most likely because, as a wealth of previous study has shown, there is a disconnect between knowledge of 'safe' sun exposures and any resulting behavioral change. Our objective in this study is to test a novel classroom-based hands-on educational intervention to motivate youth to limit their sun exposure, and affect sun exposure behavior change. We have been conducting a SunSmart educational program in Los Angeles area schools for 5 years, and aim to use those established relationships to ensure the success of this study. We will recruit at least 1,575 students from at least 18 schools to participate in a randomized trial of the effect our Intervention, the UV Dosimetry Laboratory (in comparison to SunSmart alone) in changing sun exposure behavior. We will establish baseline sun exposure knowledge, attitudes and behavior, conduct the Intervention, then conduct follow-up to determine if UV exposure behavior changed in a subset of at least 315 students. We will obtain baseline and follow-up UV exposure data using dosimeters measuring real change in sun exposure behavior. Our proposed approach is innovative, incorporating students' scientific discovery and personal understanding of their own UV exposures in an active educational intervention, and verifying behavior change using dosimetry. Our pilot data suggests a high probability of success of both the approach and the intervention itself. The potential impact of this study is far-reaching, because it is being conducted amongst the largest population of school children (a potential target population of almost 700,000 school children) exposed to the highest levels of UV in the country.