title: Skin cancer knowledge and attitudes in the region of Fez, Morocco: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: The prevalence of skin cancers is constantly increasing in Morocco, and they have gradually become more aggressive due to a significant delay in the diagnosis. Our aim was to assess the levels of awareness and the influencing factors related to skin cancer knowledge in Morocco.
  
  
  
  This cross-sectional study was carried out in Morocco through the medium of a validated questionnaire, which contained several items - demographics, skin cancer knowledge and attitudes towards skin cancer patients- during a period of 1 year (2014).
  
  
  
  Out of the 700 participants enrolled in the study, 17.9% had never heard of skin cancer, 32.5% had a low score of skin cancer knowledge, 66.7% had a moderate score, and only 0.85% had a high score of skin cancer knowledge. Further, 15.1% of the participants were under the assumption that this cancer is contagious. The sun was the most incriminated risk factor in skin cancer occurrence by 74.3% of the participants, and 57.9% of them believed that prevention is important through using various means of photoprotection. After univariate and multivariate analysis, the influencing factors related to the skin cancer knowledge in Morocco were: the socioeconomic status (P = 0.003, OR = 7. 3) and the educational level (p < 0.001, OR = 20. 9).
  
  
  
  Due to the lack of knowledge or the underestimation of skin cancer in our study population, efforts are needed to promote skin cancer surveillance behaviors in Morocco.
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, University Hospital Hassan II, 202 Hay Mohamadi, Fez, Morocco. awatkelati@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Awatef
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kelati
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, University Hospital Hassan II, 202 Hay Mohamadi, Fez, Morocco.
authors.forename: Hanane
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baybay
authors.affiliation: Department of clinical epidemiology and scientific research, University Hospital Hassan II, Fez, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Atassi
authors.affiliation: Department of clinical epidemiology and scientific research, University Hospital Hassan II, Fez, Morocco.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elfakir
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, University Hospital Hassan II, 202 Hay Mohamadi, Fez, Morocco.
authors.forename: Salim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallouj
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, University Hospital Hassan II, 202 Hay Mohamadi, Fez, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mariame
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meziane
authors.affiliation: Department of dermatology, University Hospital Hassan II, 202 Hay Mohamadi, Fez, Morocco.
authors.forename: Fatima Zahra
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Mernissi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Attitudes; Cross-Sectional study; Epidemiology; Knowledge; Morocco; Skin cancer