The evaluation of demand for education regarding prevention of skin cancers

Danuta Pięciak-Kotlarz
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Jan Gawełko
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Beata Penar-Zadarko
Maja Wolan
Beata Sas-Korczyńska
Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland
University of Rzeszow, Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland
Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszow, Poland
Oncology Centre – Maria Curie-Sklodowska Institute, Krakow Branch, Krakow, Poland
Received: 12 December 2016 / Accepted: 7 December 2016 / Published: 30 December 2016

Abstract

Introduction: Skin cancers are a significant oncological problem in the twenty-first century. Global epidemiological studies show 2-fold increase in the incidence in each decade. One of the essential elements of prevention is public knowledge on the etiology of skin cancers. The aim of the study was to assess the attitudes and the demand for education on the prevention of skin cancers in open population.

Material and methods. 106 people were enrolled in the study during social action “Festival of Health”. The vast majority of respondents were women from urban areas. The mean age of the respondents was 37,2. The method of diagnostic survey was used in the study and a questionnaire of interview was applied. The results were analyzed statistically by means of chi-square test.

Results. The poorest knowledge about risk factors for skin cancers showed the respondents with the lowest level of education, while those with higher education were twice as likely to recognize self-inspection of the skin as a method of prevention in comparison with the respondents with vocational education. In turn, the latter most rarely paid attention to the necessity of self- inspection of the skin, use of protective filters and protection during sunny days. Other respondents showed a greater responsibility in the use of anticancer prevention. The respondents with at least high school education more often had knowledge that change in shape or color of pigmented mole on the skin can signal development of cancer.

Conclusions: The study showed that the level of education is the most important factor differentiating the level of knowledge about the prevention of skin cancer. The frequency of consultations with a specialist in connection with the presence of alarming moles on the skin was not associated with gender and the level of education.

 

Cite

Pięciak-Kotlarz D, Gawełko J, Penar-Zadarko B, Maja Wolan M, Sas-Korczyńska B. The evaluation of demand for education regarding prevention of skin cancers. Medical Review 2016; 14 (4): 439–454. doi: 10.15584/medrev.2016.4.7

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