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OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT05908435

Impact of Sunscreen Dispensers in Parks Visited by Teenagers

This study will evaluate the use of publicly available free sunscreen dispensers at Maine beaches and Boston and Cambridge parks.

Aim 1: Determine the impact of DFS+ (dispensers, flyers, enhanced signage, + a social media component delivered by teen ambassadors) sun protection education on the use of free sunscreen dispensers by adolescents ages 12-20 compared with DFS (dispensers, flyers, standard signage).

Aim 2: Outcomes evaluation to assess the effects of the sunscreen dispensers and the sun-safety educational intervention on sun protection knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors within the community.

Aim 3: Cost Evaluation and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Age range

12 year–20 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health

Boston, Massachusetts, 02155, United States

About this study

The investigators will build on the pioneering work of IMPACT Melanoma which has provided free sunscreen dispensers to a general population. This study will build on IMPACT Melanoma's ability to install, maintain, and now for the first time, target and publicize the use of dispensers for a teen population. The investigators will test scalable methods for improving the use of free sunscreen dispensers by testing DFS interventions compared with the addition of social media led by teen ambassadors. The investigators will evaluate the impact of the intervention in both parks and beaches in Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA and Maine.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Being a Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA or Maine youth ages 12-20
  • Able to complete a survey in English

Exclusion criteria

  • Not a Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA or Maine youth ages 12-20
  • Not able to complete a survey in English

Treatment and study plan

Dispensers, Flyers, Enhanced Signage + a social media component delivered by teen ambassadors

Behavioral

The study intervention is designed to increase utilization of free sunscreen dispensers, applying and reapplying sunscreen, and motivating use of other forms of sun protection by teens. IMPACT Melanoma will install and maintain free sunscreen dispensers at the study sites. Flyers will be posted at locations at the park/beach to inform people of the availability of free sunscreen and the location of the dispenser. 'Teen enhanced' signage will be present on the dispenser in the intervention parks/beaches. Teen ambassadors will share 3-5 posts to their social media platform over the course of 1 week encouraging sun protection practices and use of the free sunscreen dispenser (when the intervention is occurring at the study site).

Primary outcomes

  1. Dispenser utilization/Measured reduction in sunscreen levels in dispensers

    Time frame: In real-time, up to 1 day

    The investigators will count of the number of teens between the ages of 12 and 20 using the sunscreen dispenser in real-time at the park or beach as they are using the dispenser. This will serve as the numerator. The investigators will also conduct observations to determine an estimated number of teens who are the park on a given day. This will serve as the denominator. This count will be in real-time, counting the number of teens who we observe at the park or beach where the study is taking place.

  2. Reported use of sunscreen from surveys completed by teens

    Time frame: In real-time, up to 1 day

    Survey responses about sunscreen use

Secondary outcomes

  1. Sun prevention practices

    Time frame: In real-time, up to 1 day

    Survey responses about sun protection practices

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)

Other

Collaborators

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Registry information

Official study title

Measuring the Impact of Free Sunscreen Dispensers in Community Settings Frequented by Youth

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 18, 2023
Registry last updated
Oct 18, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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