Impact of an Educational Intervention Based on the BASNEF Model on Skin Cancer Preventive Behavior of College Students

Abstract

Background: Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world but is largely preventable through<br />protective behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention based<br />on the BASNEF model on skin cancer prevention and protective behavior in midwifery students in Urmia.<br />Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, the subject population comprised 100 midwifery students in two groups,<br />study and control (n = 50 in each). The sample was collected using a stratified random sampling method. The data<br />collection tool was a multi-section questionnaire which included demographic questions, knowledge and structures<br />(attitude, enabling factors, subjective norms, behavior and attitude). The educational intervention was carried out in<br />three 45-minute sessions. Data were collected during face-to-face discussions before the educational intervention and<br />three months thereafter and analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test statistics. Results: The results showed<br />that after intervention, mean score of knowledge was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control<br />group. Significant improvement in mean scores for attitude, enabling factors, mental norms, and intent of behavior<br />was limited to the study group Also, behavior for prevention of skin cancer was significantly better in the intervention<br />group. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the BASNEF model is effective for promotion of skin cancer<br />prevention behavior.