A Pilot Study on the Effectiveness of the Sun Safe App on Sun Health Knowledge and Behaviour in Teenagers

Authored By:

Clare et al.

Summary:

The Sun Safe app (iOS) was co-developed by the authors, teenagers, Australian sun health promotion experts, researchers, and digital health developers with the aim of improving sun health knowledge and promoting sun safe practices amongst adolescents. This pilot study aimed to test if the use of the Sun Safe app improved sun health knowledge and behaviour of teenagers (aged 12-13 years). A total of 51 participant completed the study conducted in Western Australia. The participants were split into 2 groups, the placebo group (n=25) which had access to the SunDial app (which notifies the user when sunrise and sunset events occur) and the Sun Safe group (n=26) which had access to the Sun Safe app. Participants completed questionnaires on sun health and knowledge and rated the quality of the app via survey. Improved sun health knowledge was observed in participants given the Sun Safe app, however, they also experienced significantly more sun burn events (relative risk 1.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1, 1.8). The Sun Safe app was rated well by users (average 4.2/5).

Link to:

The Effects of Using the Sun Safe App on Sun Health Knowledge and Behaviors of Young Teenagers: Results of Pilot Intervention Studies

Published In:

The Journal of Medical Internet Research - Dermatology

Commentary by ARPANSA:

The results of this pilot study found that the Sun Safe app participants were more likely to experience sun burn events but also had improved sun health knowledge. This may potentially be a confounding association as it is possible that following a sun burn event participants were more likely to seek information from the Sun Safe app which in turn improved their sun health knowledge. The study has several limitations including its small number of participants, the non-blinding of participants and potential confounding. Further research is required to assess the effects of the Sun Safe app on sun health knowledge and sun-protective behaviour. The Australian Cancer council also has its own app, the SunSmart App, that provides sun protection information and information on the UV levels across Australia. For more information on sun protection please view the ARPANSA sun protection webpage available here.