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A study of the impact of Sun Awareness Week 1995
Author(s) -
FLEMING C.,
NEWELL J.,
TURNER S.,
MACKIE R.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2133.1997.6621647.x
Subject(s) - medicine , sunlight , physics , astronomy
Summary We report a questionnaire‐based survey of parents of schoolchildren to assess the impact of Sun Awareness Week, organized by the U.K. Skin Cancer Working Party, from 4 to 10 June 1995. A questionnaire was designed, pre‐tested and modified. Nine hundred and eighty‐nine parents of schoolchildren were approached before and after Sun Awareness Week at eight comprehensive primary schools and a children's clothes shop. Responses to the questionnaires were analysed in the following categories: total knowledge, sunscreen knowledge, melanoma risk factor knowledge, attitude, self‐reported behaviour and awareness of the link between childhood sun exposure and cancer (link). A reasonable level of knowledge was demonstrated in the sample population. Significant improvements in attitude and behaviour scores were observed ( P <0·05). Three of the four link questions were significantly improved ( P <0·005). These results were not explained by differences in age, sex or occupation between the before and after populations. Further national studies are needed to establish long‐term benefits of such interventions.