The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67627

Mary Klein Buller, MA, Ilima Kane, BS, Rob Martin, and Aimee Giese, BFA. Klein Buendel, Inc., 14023 Denver West Parkway, Suite 190, Golden, CO 80401, (720) 216-6670, mbuller@kleinbuendel.com

Skin cancer prevention education must start in childhood. Three age-appropriate CD-ROM programs were produced based on the Sunny Days, Healthy Ways (SDHW) skin cancer prevention curriculum for children aged 5-11, with messages tailored to users’ risk for sunburn. The ability of the CD-ROMs to increase knowledge, change attitudes, and increase sun protection was evaluated in a pair-matched randomized pretest-posttest design, employing 72 classes in 12 primary schools, alone or along with a teacher-led lecture from SDHW. In K-1 classes, there was a significant pre-post increase in knowledge (CD-ROM only estimate = 1.99, p<.0001; lecture only = 0.68, p=.0032; CD-ROM plus lecture = 2.69, p<.0001). The improvement in the CD-ROM plus lecture condition exceeded the lecture only condition (p<.0001). CD-ROM plus lecture condition had significant pre-post increases in hat (p<.0001), sunscreen (p<.0009), and shade (p=.0395) use. CD-ROM only condition showed a significant increase in wearing sunscreen (p=.0006). The CD-ROM also improved knowledge in grades 2-3 alone (estimate = 1.64, p<.0001) and with the lecture (estimate=3.22, p<.0001; lecture only = 1.95, p<.0001; CD-ROM plus lecture v. lecture only p<.0059; CD-ROM plus lecture v. CD-ROM only p<.0001). In grades 4-5, the CD-ROM produced pre-post improvements in knowledge (CD-ROM estimate = 3.17, p<.0001; lecture = 3.87, p<.0001; CD-ROM & lecture = 4.47, p<.0001) and the combination of CD-ROM plus lecture resulted in larger knowledge improvements than lecture only (p=.0088). The CD-ROMs were effective at providing health education and producing health behavior change especially in younger children when presented along with a sun safety lecture.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe age-appropriate CD-ROM sun safety programs with tailored content for children.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of CD-ROM sun safety programs for improving knowledge, attitudes and behaviors related to sun protection by children in grades K-5.

Keywords: Cancer Prevention, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Klein Buendel, Inc., a health education and multimedia research firm that produced the CD-ROM programs.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: President of Klein Buendel, Inc. and Principal Investigator on research grant supporting product development and evaluation.