The Effects of a Skin Cancer Educational Intervention on Beliefs, Knowledge and Behaviours of Outdoor Workers in the Tropics

Recent research has linked some forms of skin cancer with ultraviolet radiation from constant sun exposure. Outdoor workers represent an ‘at risk’ group as daily exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is a necessary part of their occupations. This study assessed changes in beliefs, knowledge and behavio...

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Main Authors: Lesley E. Pain, Marie L. Caltabiano
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: James Cook University 2004-04-01
Series:eTropic: electronic journal of studies in the tropics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.jcu.edu.au/etropic/article/view/3441/3379
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author Lesley E. Pain
Marie L. Caltabiano
author_facet Lesley E. Pain
Marie L. Caltabiano
author_sort Lesley E. Pain
collection DOAJ
description Recent research has linked some forms of skin cancer with ultraviolet radiation from constant sun exposure. Outdoor workers represent an ‘at risk’ group as daily exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is a necessary part of their occupations. This study assessed changes in beliefs, knowledge and behaviours of outdoor workers in North Queensland towards skin cancer. A total of 40 outdoor workers participated in the study. A quasi-experimental repeated measures design with a treatment and control group was used. Subjects in the treatment group were exposed to an educational intervention explaining the danger of skin cancer and ways that the disease could be prevented. Results indicated that in comparison to the control group, subjects who received the educational intervention reported greater levels of sun protection behaviour, had increased knowledge about the disease and reported changes in their beliefs concerning skin cancer. Changes were assessed by using a sun safety questionnaire. Results of this research are of value to the Queensland Cancer Fund, Government Health Promotion Departments and numerous companies that employ outdoor workers in the tropics.
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spelling doaj.art-5706292aaeb94d39b8e54d16af627b992022-12-21T18:57:59ZengJames Cook UniversityeTropic: electronic journal of studies in the tropics1448-29402004-04-01310.25120/etropic.3.2.2004.3441The Effects of a Skin Cancer Educational Intervention on Beliefs, Knowledge and Behaviours of Outdoor Workers in the TropicsLesley E. Pain0 Marie L. Caltabiano1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2597-3143James Cook University, AustraliaJames Cook University, AustraliaRecent research has linked some forms of skin cancer with ultraviolet radiation from constant sun exposure. Outdoor workers represent an ‘at risk’ group as daily exposure to the sun’s harmful rays is a necessary part of their occupations. This study assessed changes in beliefs, knowledge and behaviours of outdoor workers in North Queensland towards skin cancer. A total of 40 outdoor workers participated in the study. A quasi-experimental repeated measures design with a treatment and control group was used. Subjects in the treatment group were exposed to an educational intervention explaining the danger of skin cancer and ways that the disease could be prevented. Results indicated that in comparison to the control group, subjects who received the educational intervention reported greater levels of sun protection behaviour, had increased knowledge about the disease and reported changes in their beliefs concerning skin cancer. Changes were assessed by using a sun safety questionnaire. Results of this research are of value to the Queensland Cancer Fund, Government Health Promotion Departments and numerous companies that employ outdoor workers in the tropics.https://journals.jcu.edu.au/etropic/article/view/3441/3379skin cancersuntropicsbeliefsoutdoor workershealth psychologysocial psychology
spellingShingle Lesley E. Pain
Marie L. Caltabiano
The Effects of a Skin Cancer Educational Intervention on Beliefs, Knowledge and Behaviours of Outdoor Workers in the Tropics
eTropic: electronic journal of studies in the tropics
skin cancer
sun
tropics
beliefs
outdoor workers
health psychology
social psychology
title The Effects of a Skin Cancer Educational Intervention on Beliefs, Knowledge and Behaviours of Outdoor Workers in the Tropics
title_full The Effects of a Skin Cancer Educational Intervention on Beliefs, Knowledge and Behaviours of Outdoor Workers in the Tropics
title_fullStr The Effects of a Skin Cancer Educational Intervention on Beliefs, Knowledge and Behaviours of Outdoor Workers in the Tropics
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of a Skin Cancer Educational Intervention on Beliefs, Knowledge and Behaviours of Outdoor Workers in the Tropics
title_short The Effects of a Skin Cancer Educational Intervention on Beliefs, Knowledge and Behaviours of Outdoor Workers in the Tropics
title_sort effects of a skin cancer educational intervention on beliefs knowledge and behaviours of outdoor workers in the tropics
topic skin cancer
sun
tropics
beliefs
outdoor workers
health psychology
social psychology
url https://journals.jcu.edu.au/etropic/article/view/3441/3379
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