title: Effect of Skin Cancer Training Provided to Maritime High School Students on Their Knowledge and Behaviour.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating the effect of skin cancer training provided to maritime high school students on their knowledge and behaviour.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study had a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test intervention and control groups. Two maritime high schools located in the city of Antalya were included within the scope of the study between March and June 2013, covering a total of 567 students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While the knowledge mean scores of students regarding skin cancer and sun protection did not vary in the pre-test (6.2 ± 1.9) and post-test (6.8 ± 1.9) control group, the knowledge mean scores of students in the experimental group increased from 6.0 ± 2.3 to 10.6 ± 1.2 after the provided training. Some 25.4% of students in the experimental group had low knowledge level and 62.2% had medium knowledge level in the pre-test; whereas no students had low knowledge level and 94.3% had high knowledge level in the post-test. It was determined that tenth grade students, those who had previous knowledge on the subject, who considered themselves to be protecting from the sun better, had higher knowledge levels and their knowledge levels increased as the risk level increased. It was found that the provided training was effective and increased positively the knowledge, attitude and behaviour levels of students in the experimental group in terms of skin cancer and sun protection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Along with the provided training which started to form a lifestyle, appropriate attitudes and behaviours concerning skin cancer and sun protection could be brought to students who will work in outdoor spaces and are members of the maritime profession within the risk group.
authors.affiliation: Manavgat State Hospital - Akdeniz University, Public Health Nursing PhD, Student, Antalya, Turkey E-mail : adem_sumen@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Adem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sümen
authors.forename: Selma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Öncel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004501:Education, Medical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D012574:Schools; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents