Abstract

Background: Skin cancer is one of the most preventable, curable and treatable of all other cancers. In the past decade, the rates for most cancers, specially the skin cancers increased visibly. Sun exposure is a major causative factor for skin cancer for which prevention is possible. Protection motivation theory (PMT) provides one model for increasing healthy behavior through persuasive communication. We apply this theory for skin cancer prevention behavior. Materials and methods: This was an experimental study. Participants were 360 female students from four high schools in Yazd city, Iran that divided in two groups (180 in case and 180 in control group). A self-report questionnaire was used to assess the variables in the PMT model at pretest, post-test and follow-up. The questionnaire was distributed before the intervention (pre-test) and afterwards (post-test) and following at a 2 month lag. For data analysis ANOVA, T-test, Wilcoxon, Pearson's correlation and coefficient were used. Results: A significant difference between all variables except fear was noted in the case and control groups in follow-up (p=0.00). There was significant difference between mean grades score of all of variables in case group, in pre-test and follow up. No significant difference was seen between mean grade scores of variables in control group in pre-test and follow up. There is significant difference between using methods for prevention skin cancer in case and control group after intervention. Conclusion: Results support the effectiveness of a PMT-based intervention to change the attitude and behavior associated with skin cancer risk. Theory-based intervention can motivate people to alert their attitudes and behaviors regarding sun exposure.