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| Authors | S Aquilina L Scerri A Amato Gauci M Ellul |
| Abstract | Background Studies indicate that reducing exposure to ultraviolet light during childhood and adolescence decreases the risk of skin cancer. From a young age, children need to be educated about the suns harmful effects on the skin and how best to protect themselves. Objective To help in the design of school-based interventions to raise sun awareness, a school survey was carried out in order to assess students sun-related attitudes and knowledge. Study design A total of 965 students attending Maltese secondary schools in forms 1, 2 and 3 were surveyed in May 2002, by means of a structured questionnaire. Results High scores were obtained by the students on knowledge of the effects of the sun on the skin, knowledge of skin cancer and knowledge of sun protection. However, 55% of the students surveyed thought that a suntan made them look better, and 70% thought that their friends would desire a tan. These views were commoner amongst the older students. Although girls were more knowledgeable than boys, deliberate sun tanning was more frequently reported by the girls. Conclusion Maltese secondary school students have a high level of sun-related knowledge, but attitude change lags behind knowledge. Future school sun awareness interventions need to take into account gender and age differences in students attitudes and perspectives. Attitude change and preventive behaviour may be encouraged through consistent and repeated sun-education messages that are supported by a sun-conscious school environment. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
| Pages | - |
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