Melanoma and skin cancer: evaluation of a health education programme for secondary schools

Abstract

The effectiveness of an education package for secondary schools about the sun and skin cancer was assessed using questionnaires. A variety of teaching methods was used, including pamphlets, workbooks, and a video. The effect of this material was assessed by asking pupils to complete questionnaires immediately after receiving the package (July), and after the summer holiday (September). Five-hundred and forty-three children from seven schools were recruited into the study. Results of the questionnaire demonstrated a significant difference in knowledge (P < 0.001) and reported attitude (P < 0.001) compared with a control group. There was no significant difference in behaviour of the taught groups compared with the control group. The only significant activity associated with increased knowledge was wearing a sunscreen (P < 0.005). In contrast, in terms of attitude, those who covered up in the sun (P < 0.0001), wore a sunscreen (P < 0.004), and sat in the shade (P < 0.02), had significantly better attitudes than those who did not behave in this way. This project is a first attempt to assess health education in schools, and reports changes in knowledge, attitudes, and some aspects of behaviour. Adolescents are a group who are difficult to influence, but our study has produced some useful information about how these children respond to such teaching measures.

Current patterns of the sun protection measures adopted by nurses and the risk factors influencing their compliance

“…Primary prevention campaigns are recommended so as to increase the awareness of population regarding the risk factors for melanoma, the potential harm of overexposure to the sun and the importance of compliance with the suggested preventive measures. Furthermore, such kind of campaigns should primarily focus to children and adolescents as a recent study performed to a Greek sample of adolescents showed that small percentages of the sample (38%) knew that melanoma was a type of skin cancer where as half of them were unaware of what melanoma was [43]. The same study reported that half of the adolescents did not wear a sunhat or stayed in the shade and either did not use a sunscreen properly or use one with insufficient sun protection factor [43].…”

“…Furthermore, such kind of campaigns should primarily focus to children and adolescents as a recent study performed to a Greek sample of adolescents showed that small percentages of the sample (38%) knew that melanoma was a type of skin cancer where as half of them were unaware of what melanoma was [43]. The same study reported that half of the adolescents did not wear a sunhat or stayed in the shade and either did not use a sunscreen properly or use one with insufficient sun protection factor [43]. Moreover, preventive campaigns should take into account that several studies have reported a diagnostic peak for melanoma diagnosis during the summer months most probably due to the change in clothing habits, the increased visibility of the skin and sustained sunburns due to recent sun exposure.…”

Európai Rákellenes Kódex: 12 lehetőség, hogy csökkentse a rák kialakulásának kockázatát

“…A népesség felvilágosítása a túlzásba vitt napozás ártalmairól az egészségnevelés feladata [51]. Ebben kitüntetett szerepük van az alapellá-tásban dolgozóknak [52].…”

SUCCESSFUL BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS TO PREVENT CANCER: The Example of Skin Cancer

“…Studies have found that people with tans are judged to be more attractive, particularly tanned men, and that men have darker tans, use less sunscreen, and are more likely to downplay the dangers of sun exposure (6,40). Personal appearance and attitudes toward having a tan are also predictors of exposure to natural and artificial sources of UV radiation and sun protection (27,32). Appearance concerns and beliefs about suntans are strong predictors of willingness to endure risky sun exposure.…”

“…A large randomized study of 543 adolescents (12-16 year olds) conducted in seven different schools compared a control condition with four intervention groups (27). The interventions differed in their increasing intensities, but they all resulted in increased knowledge and appropriate attitudes about tanning compared to the control group.…”