Background
Pregnancy offers a unique opportunity for health education to reduce UVR exposure, the primary modifiable risk factor for skin cancer, but few studies have tested interventions in this population. This pilot study of the SUNRISE skin cancer prevention program for pregnant women and their infants examined intervention feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects.
Method
Participants were asked to complete a baseline survey; two virtual intervention sessions (pre-/post-partum) focused on sun safety for the mother and infant with a trained peer coach; two post-assessment surveys (1-/2-months post-intervention); and a post-study interview. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through session attendance and thematic analysis of interviews. Intervention effectiveness was measured by changes in sun protection behaviors using paired-samples t-tests.
Results
N=59 mothers (67% White non-Hispanic, 14% White Hispanic, 10% Asian; Mage=31 years) enrolled, and n=48 (81%) completed both intervention sessions and surveys. Exit interviews from n=26 mothers indicated high feasibility and acceptability, with 81% finding participation easy and 100% providing positive feedback on intervention content. Post-intervention, the vast majority of mothers reported that SUNRISE increased their understanding of sun-safe behaviors (88%); helped them employ sun protection with their baby (73%); and made sun protection easier to implement (75%). Mothers’ sun protection index scores significantly increased pre/post-intervention (effect size = 5.4, 95% CI: 3.4 - 6.6, p<.001.
Discussion
SUNRISE demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability, underscoring the potential of targeted interventions during pregnancy to mitigate skin cancer risk. Future research should aim to replicate and extend these findings.