Effects of an Education Intervention on Nursing Students' Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Skin Self-Examination and Skin Cancer Risks

Abstract

Background The incidence of skin cancers is increasing in Turkey as well as worldwide. Nurses have a potentially influential role to play in educating the public about skin cancer prevention. Purpose The purpose of this study was to teach nursing students the risks of skin cancer and the steps involved in conducting related skin self-examinations to encourage positive attitudes toward skin cancer protection and early detection. Methods This research used a quasi-experimental, single-group, pretest-posttest design. The study population was composed of all the nursing students who were currently enrolled in a university in Mugla, a city in southern Turkey (n = 900). The study analysis included the 332 nursing students who had completed both the pretest and posttest assessments. An intervention to raise awareness about skin cancer risks and skin self-examination was carried out using educational materials that included posters/pictures, brochures, a PowerPoint slideshow, and a video. The posttest assessment was done 6 weeks after the pretest. Results The participants were 18-23 years old, and 67.5% were female. Furthermore, 3.6% had undergone a routine (external) screening for skin cancer, and 14.5% believed that they were at risk for skin cancer. The mean score for knowledge of skin cancer risks for those participants who had completed the program was 5.75 +/- 1.20 in the pretest and 6.84 +/- 1.17 in the posttest (minimum: 0, maximum: 8). The mean posttest score was higher than the pretest score in this group, F(1, 329) = 6.49, p = .011, and a significant difference was found between the mean pretest and posttest score for knowledge of the ABCDE rule (p < .05). Conclusions Educating nursing students about skin self-examination increased their level of knowledge about both skin cancer risks and the ABCDE rule. We believe that this and similar educational programs are an effective way to increase the knowledge and awareness of nurses regarding skin cancer and to improve their attitudes toward performing skin self-examination.