EFFICACY OF A STRUCTURED SUN SAFETY EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION IN REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF SUNBURN AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN SARGODHA

Background: Sunburn during childhood contributes substantially to cumulative ultraviolet radiation exposure and increases the risk of future dermatological complications. School-based interventions offer an opportunity to introduce preventive behaviors early, particularly in regions with high sun exposure such as Sargodha. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured sun safety educational intervention in reducing the incidence of sunburn among primary school children. Methods: A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted across 12 primary schools in Sargodha, enrolling 742 children aged 7–10 years. Schools were randomized equally into intervention and control arms. The intervention comprised a structured sun safety education program delivered over 12 weeks. Outcomes included incidence of at least one sunburn episode, sun protection knowledge scores, and frequency of key protective behaviors. Analyses were conducted using cluster-adjusted comparisons. Results: A total of 371 children participated in each arm. The incidence of sunburn was markedly lower in the intervention group (22.6%) compared with the control group (43.7%). Knowledge scores increased substantially in the intervention arm (mean improvement 22.6 points) relative to controls (2.5 points). Behavioral indicators showed notable gains, with sunscreen use increasing from 18.1% to 54.2% in the intervention group, while only marginal change occurred in the control group. Cluster-level effects remained consistent, and missing data were minimal. Conclusion: The structured educational intervention effectively reduced sunburn incidence and strengthened sun-protective behaviors among primary school children. These findings highlighted the potential of integrating age-appropriate sun safety education into routine school curricula, offering a practical and scalable strategy for early-life photoprotection.