Abstract
Raising cancer awareness among adolescents can increase their confidence in identifying cancer symptoms and develop healthy habits. This study tested the effectiveness of cancer education based on a new model among high schoolers. A non-randomized control group pre-post-test design study was conducted among 313 pairs of adolescent students and their knowledge-sharing partners in Lalitpur, Nepal. A baseline test was conducted before the education program, and it was followed up at two weeks and three months. Results were measured using a chi-square test, binary logistic regression, and a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA. There was a significant interaction effect of intervention and time on students’ knowledge, beliefs, self-esteem, and practice, along with a change in some scores of knowledge-sharing partners. Joint assignment supported the idea of diffusion of information within the family and in the neighborhood. The peer group discussion could encourage active learning and help students to participate visibly in problem-solving and reflecting more sustainably. Time constraints, lack of human resources, and support groups, might limit this program’s usage; however, preparing guidelines, and connecting communities, organizations, hospitals, volunteer health workers, and survivors can help make it more sustainable and approachable.
Highlights
Published: 11 January 2021Every 1 in 6 of the world’s population are adolescents aged 10 to 19, which constitutes around 1.2 billion people
A total of 313 students and their knowledge-sharing partners were included in this study
There was no difference observed between the responses of the two student groups on the topics: sex, talks on cancer, importance of cancer talks, and wish to undergo cancer screening
Summary
Published: 11 January 2021Every 1 in 6 of the world’s population are adolescents aged 10 to 19, which constitutes around 1.2 billion people. Health Organization described adolescent health as the range of approaches to preventing, detecting, or treating young people’s health and well-being. During their adolescence phase, young people acquire new habits and behaviors. Raising cancer awareness among adolescents has the potential to increase their knowledge and confidence about identifying cancer symptoms early and seeking timely medical help in their adolescence and adulthood [2]. Several studies have highlighted the need for a rigorous approach to the development of interventions to increase cancer awareness and help-seeking behavior among adolescents, which might contribute to their own early diagnosis as well as potentially that of friends and relatives, and thereby survival throughout the life course [3,4]
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