title: Skin cancer prevention: a peer education model.
abstract: Results from a quasi-experimental project indicate that skin cancer prevention and sun protection education can successfully be promoted by using peer educators. Senior high students (40) facilitated and taught a sun protection curriculum to third-grade students (508) enrolled at the experimental sites. The curriculum's effects were assessed with pre-program, post-program, and 6-month follow-up survey-instruments. The experimental sites using high school (peer) facilitators were effective in conveying knowledge to younger students based on knowledge gained on the post-program surveys. Overall, the intervention group demonstrated a mean improvement of 3.4 questions on the post-program survey, while the control group improved 0.1 questions (p < 0.01). Additional benefits included a knowledge gain by the peer facilitators, a self-reported possible increase in desired behavior change, and an improved attitude about sun protection. Implications for pediatric clinical practice are noted.
authors.affiliation: Marshfield Clinic, WI, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Reding
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gunderson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lappe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010379:Peer Group; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014922:Wisconsin
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents