Aims: Melanoma of the skin is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia. Skin cancer is largely preventable by using consistent sun protection methods. Adolescents, in particular, have high levels of knowledge and awareness of the risks of skin cancer but exhibit significantly lower sun-protective behaviours than adults. Research examining adolescents’ decision making about their sun safe actions and theory-based interventions to improve sun protection practices among this cohort are limited. Our aim was to test a theory of planned behaviour-based school intervention to improve sun-protective behaviour among Queensland adolescents.
Methods: Approximately 400 adolescents (aged 12-17 years) were recruited from public and private schools in Queensland, Australia and randomized to the intervention or control group. The intervention focused on encouraging supportive sun-protective attitudes and beliefs, fostering perceptions of normative support for sun safety, and increasing perceptions of control for using sun protection. Specific attention was given to friendship group norms about sun protection. Intervention delivery occurred during three one-hour sessions over a three week period by trained facilitators during class time. Data were collected at one week pre-intervention (Time 1) and one week (Time 2) and four weeks (Time 3) post-intervention. Primary outcomes were sun-protective intentions and behaviour. Secondary outcomes were attitudes toward performing sun-protective behaviours, perceptions of normative support to sun protect and perceived control over performing sun-protective behaviours. The beliefs underlying these constructs were also examined.
Results: Preliminary results suggest support for the positive effect of the intervention in changing the cognitions underpinning students’ sun safe decisions, as well as evidence for a positive change in self-reported sun-protective behaviours.
Conclusions: Intensive, theory-based school interventions among adolescents may provide the impetus for enhancing positive sun protection beliefs and adopting effective sun safe habits in a cohort at risk for developing skin cancer in their lifetime.