A nurse-led school-based sun protection programme in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a nurse-led school-based sun protection programme in Turkey. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was performed at two public schools between February and October 2014. Children with written consent from their parents were screened by nurses for skin type, and 80 children at moderate to high risk for skin cancer were included in the study. The sample was randomized by age, gender and skin type. Stratified and block randomizations were used. The participants were separated into an intervention group (n = 40) and control group (n = 40). Data were collected using a personal information form and two scales for sun protection behaviour and self-efficacy. Results: In the intervention group, the pretest mean score for sun protection behaviour was 19.25 ± 5.44 and increased significantly in the posttest assessment (33.05 ± 4.23, p < 0.001). Self-efficacy scores also increased significantly after the intervention (pretest 20.50 ± 6.68, post-test 35.85 ± 4.70, p < 0.001). However, there were no significant increases in mean sun protection behaviour or self-efficacy scores in the control group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: A nurse-led school-based sun protection programme effectively promoted children’s self-efficacy and sun protection behaviour.