Sun Protection of Kidney Transplant Recipients

Cognitive interviews about an internet-based sun protection strategies program will be performed with up to 45 kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) who have participated in past surveys. A second group of 150 KTRs will be asked to evaluate the internet-based module for the effectiveness of information. A third group of 12 KTRs will be asked to evaluate the internet-based module for usability. A fourth group of 160 KTRs will be asked to take part in a randomized controlled trial evaluating the fully developed internet-based sun protection strategies program.

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) are at risk to develop skin cancer. Adequate sun protection after transplantation can reduce the risk of developing skin cancer. In 2006, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) found that sun protection education delivery and content varied among transplantation centers. Clinicians rarely knew when to initiate education about skin cancer risks and prevention including timing and scope, and rarely demonstrated understanding of the importance of reminders for and repeated education of patients. (National Kidney Foundation 2006) The NKF supported standard, formal, well timed skin cancer prevention information and sending reminders to KTRs at the beginning of summer.

Aims:

1. To explore culturally sensitive use of terms describing ethnic cultural perceptions of sun burning, pigment darkening after sun exposure and description of skin color by the amount of photoprotective pigment in the skin.
2. To pilot test the internet-based sun protection brochure with English speaking KTRs representing 3 ethnic groups: White, Black and Hispanic.
3. To explore understanding of the importance of sun protection and the KTRs' confidence in their being able to practice sun protection.