Perceived Relevance of Educative Information on Public (Skin) Health: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Telephone Survey

Abstract

Individual skin health attitudes are influenced by various factors, including public education campaigns, mass media, family, and friends. Evidence-based, educative information materials assist communication and decision-making in doctor-patient interactions. The present study aims at assessing the prevailing use of skin health information material and sources and their impact on skin health knowledge, motives to tan, and sun protection. We conducted a questionnaire survey among a representative sample of Austrian residents. Print media and television were perceived as the two most relevant sources for skin health information, whereas the source physician was ranked third. Picking the information source physician increased participants’ skin health knowledge (p = 0.025) and sun-protective behavior (p < 0.001). The study results highlight the demand for targeted health messages to attain lifestyle changes towards photo-protective habits. Providing resources that encourage pro-active counseling in every-day doctor-patient communication could increase skin health knowledge and sun-protective behavior, and thus, curb the rise in skin cancer incidence rates.

Does counseling have an effect on sun protection behaviors and early detection of skin cancer in middle-aged and older Turkish people?

“…They found the rates of sun-protection counseling to be 5.2%, related behaviors to be 51.7% 6 . The rate of counseling was lower in our study Turk Arch Dermatol Venereol 2020;54: [9][10][11][12][13][14] than that of Baron-Epel and Azizi 6 . However, the rate of sun protection behaviors were higher.…”

“…Bu konudaki faaliyetlerin geliştirilmesi, deri kanserinin önlenmesi ve erken tanısında fayda sağlayabilir. Anahtar Kelimeler: Orta yaş, ileri yaş erişkin, güneşten korunma, danışmanlık, deri kanseri, erken tanı Turk Arch Dermatol Venereol 2020;54: [9][10][11][12][13][14] Oğrum and Demir, Counseling and early detection of skin cancer positive effects on attending annual expert controls (p<0.001; p<0.001, respectively) ( Table 5).…”

Public primary and secondary skin cancer prevention, perceptions and knowledge: an international cross‐sectional survey

“…From these data, there is a clear and continued need to disseminate education on identifying early signs of melanoma as prognosis is still inversely correlated to the stage of disease. Haluza et al . reported that patients/consumers identify print media and television as the two most relevant sources for skin health information, with physicians ranking third to these outlets.…”

“…From these data, there is a clear and continued need to disseminate education on identifying early signs of melanoma as prognosis is still inversely correlated to the stage of disease. Haluza et al 9 reported that patients/consumers identify print media and television as the two most relevant sources for skin health information, with physicians ranking third to these outlets. Yet, when information was received from a physician, there was a significant increase in the participants' skin health knowledge and sun-protective behaviour, highlighting the importance of the print and digital media to encourage the public to seek out information from medical professionals.…”

UV “Indices”—What Do They Indicate?

“…However, it is our strong conviction that statements would improve when they are based on unambiguous exposure data. The large amount of uncertainty among the general public regarding UV exposure [78,79] underlines this need very strongly.…”