Predictors of sun protection behavior in high school students of Ahvaz: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to predict sun protection behavior by using the protection-motivation theory (PMT). Sun exposure during childhood and adolescence has a very important role in the development of skin cancer in the future. This was a cross-sectional study. Applying multi-stage random assignment, 380 students from Ahvaz were entered into the study in 2014. Data were collected using a valid and reliable questionnaire based on the PMT. An independent t-test, the Mann-Whitney test, Spearman's correlation and a regression test were used to analyze data by SPSS 15. Among 380 students, 48.2% were male and 51.8% were female. Constructs of the PMT accounted for (adjusted R2) 39% observed variance of protection-motivation or intention to do behaviors and 15% observed variance for sun-protection behaviors through protection motivation, self-efficacy and perceived susceptibility, respectively. The PMT may be used as a framework to design intervention programs in an attempt to improve intention to perform sun protection behaviors of students. However, the model did not show optimal predictive power for adherence to sun-protection self-care behavior. The findings from this study have important implications in skin cancer prevention.