Practice Of Skin Cancer Prevention Among Young Malaysian

Redhwan Ahmed Al Naggar
2012 Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education  
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the practice of skin cancer prevention among young Malaysian. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 university students of Management and Science University (MSU). The questionnaire consists of socio-demographic characteristics such as (age, sex, race, education, residency, family income and family history on skin cancer) and practice toward skin cancer prevention. Data was recorded and analyzed using SPSS 13.
more » ... lts: A total number of 400 university students participated in this study. The majority of them were female and Malays (70.3%, 70.3%; respectively). Only 25% of the participants stayed in shade, 3.8% wore hat, 10.3% wore sunglasses, 43.3% wore clothes covering most of the body and 43.5% used sunscreen when outdoor. Gender significantly influenced the practice of staying in shade, clothes covering most of the body and sunscreen used (p=0.009, p=0.001, p=0.001; respectively). Race significantly influenced the practice of staying in shade and clothes covering most of the body (p=0.004, p=0.002; respectively). Age significantly influenced the practice of wearing hat and staying in shade (p=0.011, p=0.013; respectively). Type of educational significantly influenced the practice of staying in shade and clothes cover most of the body (p=0.001, p=0.046; respectively). Residency significantly influenced the practice of hat wearing and staying in shade (p=0.006, p=0.002; respectively). Income significantly influenced the practice of staying in shade, sunglasses wearing, clothes covering most of the body, sunscreen used (p=0.002, p=0.048, p=0.014, p=0.049; respectively). Marital status significantly influenced the practice of clothes covering most of the body and sunscreen used (p=0.015, p=0.020; respectively). Conclusion: This study showed poor practice of skin cancer prevention among university students. Gender, marital status and income significantly influenced the practice of sunscreen use among the study participants. Health education about skin cancer prevention among university students is urgently needed. : changes in community awareness and reported behavior following a primary prevention program for skin cancer control. Behaviour Change 7: 126-135. 31. MacKie RM (1998) Incidence, risk factors and prevention of melanoma. Eur J Cancer 34: S3-S6. 32. Turner M (1998) Sun safety: avoiding noonday sun, wearing protective clothing, and the use of sunscreen. J Natl Cancer Inst 90: 1854-1855. 33. Marks R (1999) Two decades of public health approach to skin cancer control in Australia: why, how and where are we now? Australas J Dermatol 40: 1-5. 35. Morris J, McGee R, Bandaranayake M (1998) Sun protection behaviours and the predictors of sunburn in young children. J Paediatr Child Health 34: 557-562. 36. Al-Naggar RA, Al-Naggar TH, Bobryshev YV (2011) Perceptions and opinions towards skin cancer prevention in malaysia: A qualitative approach. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev 12: 995-999. 37. Saridi M, Pappa V, Kyriazis I, Toska A, Giolis A, et al. (2009) Knowledge and attitudes to sun exposure among adolescents in Korinthos,Greece. Rural Remote Health 9: 1162. 38. Lowe JB, Borland R, Stanton WR, Baade P, White V, et al. (2000) Sun-safe behavior among secondary school students in Australia. Health Educ Res 15: 271-281. 39. Livingston PM, White VM, Ugoni AM, Borland R (2001) Knowledge, attitudes and self-care practices related to sun protection among secondary students in Australia. Health Educ Res 16: 269-278. 40. Stankeviciūte V, Zaborskis A, Petrauskiene A, Valiukeviciene S (2004) Skin cancer prevention: children's health education on protection from sun exposure and assessment of its efficiency. Medicina (Kaunas) 40: 386-393.
doi:10.4172/2161-0711.1000129 fatcat:7frfds6jrfczfn2kuz4bqw7nwm