Impact of a Video-Based Intervention to Improve the Prevalence of Skin Self-examination in Men 50 Years or Older

Abstract

Background: Men 50 years or older are at increased risk of being diagnosed with thick melanomas and of dying from melanoma.Objectives: Randomised trial of a video-based intervention compared to control.Methods: Nine-hundred-and-thirty men (consent rate 37%) from the Australian electoral roll were randomly assigned to receive the video-based intervention plus written materials plus two postcard reminders or control (written materials only (no reminders)).Telephone interviews were conducted at baseline, 7 and 13 months.Results: Participants' mean age was 64 years, and most (84%) were married or living with a partner.We observed a significant time by group interaction for performing at least partial SSE (p<0.001).By seven months, the proportion of men conducting partial SSE increased from 52% at baseline to 80%in the intervention group compared to the control group (56% at baseline, 69% at seven months, p<0.001).However, by 13 months, both groups reported similar prevalence of partial SSE (83% vs 80%).In addition, at 7 months the intervention group was significantly more likely to examine at least one part of their back (p<0.001) and examine a greater number of body sites (p<0.001).Both groups increased similarly over time in whole-body SSE (increase from baseline to 13 months: intervention group 25%, control group 20%; p = 0.85).Limitations: Relying on self-report for the main outcome measure may have introduced social desirability bias.Conclusions: Men 50 years or older are responsive to appropriately targeted intervention materials to improve SSE behaviours, with the video-based approach leading to a more rapid uptake of, and greater adherence to, optimal SSE guidelines.