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Effect of stimuli on sun protective habits: A randomized double‐blind controlled study
Author(s) -
Cheng Judy,
Widjajahakim Rafael,
Rajanala Susruthi,
Maymone Mayra B. C.,
Secemsky Eric,
Vashi Neelam A.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/phpp.12416
Subject(s) - sun protection , differential effects , stimulus (psychology) , psychology , randomized controlled trial , audiology , population , analysis of variance , medicine , environmental health , cognitive psychology , surgery
Summary Background Visual imagery has been shown to improve adherence to health messages but has scarcely been investigated in sun protection campaigns. Objective To determine the effectiveness of pictorial‐ and textual‐based sun protective messages in a largely Hispanic population. Methods One hundred and forty‐five participants received standard of care ( SOC ) as defined as sun protective counseling and were then randomized to receive either (a) images of sun damage, (b) a textual pamphlet about sun damage, or (c) no further messages. Analysis‐of‐variance tests for repeated measures were used to estimate the effects of the different stimuli on participants’ knowledge and intention to sun protect. Results All stimulus groups demonstrated an improvement in perceived effectiveness of sun protective habits ( p < 0.05). However, pictorial and textual stimuli were both more effective than SOC in improving intentions to sun protect ( p < 0.05), but there was no differential effect between the two. Conclusions Both pictorial and textual stimuli were more effective than SOC in improving intentions to sun protect, but there was no differential effect between the two.