title: Predictors of Sun-Protective Practices among Iranian Female College Students: Application of Protection Motivation Theory.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Given the importance of sun protection in the prevention of skin cancer, this study was designed to determine predictors of sun-protective practices among a sample of Iranian female college students based on protection motivation theory (PMT) variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, a total of 201 female college students in Iran University of Medical Sciences were selected. Demographic and PMT variables were assessed with a 67-item questionnaire. Multiple linear regression was used to identify demographic and PMT variables that were associated with sun-protective practices and intention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  one percent of participants always wore a hat with a brim, 3.5% gloves and 15.9% sunglasses while outdoors. Only 10.9% regularly had their skin checked by a doctor. Perceived rewards, response efficacy, fear, self-efficacy and marital status were the five variables which could predict 39% variance of participants intention to perform sun-protective practices. Also, intention and response cost explained 31% of the variance of sun-protective practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These predictive variables may be used to develop theory-based education interventions interventions to prevent skin cancer among college students.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, School of Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran E-mail : dehdarit@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Samaneh Rooshanpour
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Dehbari
authors.forename: Tahereh
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dehdari
authors.forename: Laleh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dehdari
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mahmoudi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D017533:Marital Status; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012201:Reward; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult