Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo 2014 Volume 142, Issue 5-6, Pages: 330-336
https://doi.org/10.2298/SARH1406330M
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The impact of education on adolescents’ sun behavior: Experiences from Serbia
Miljković Suzana (Health and Beauty Care Center, Belgrade)
Baljozović Đorđe (School of Electrical Engineering, Belgrade)
Krajnović Dušanka (Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Belgrade)
Tasić Ljiljana (Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Social Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation, Belgrade)
Sbutega-Milošević Gorica (School of Medicine, Institute of Hygiene and Medical Ecology, Belgrade)
Introduction. In Serbia, there have been no broad campaigns or educational
programs focused on adolescents’ sun protection. Objective. The aim of the
study was to assess whether an educational program would have impact on
changes of attitudes and sun-protective behaviors of high school students.
More specific aim was to examine whether sex and age differences in sun
behavior exists. Methods. Educational program was designed to provoke changes
in attitudes towards sun protection and sun behavior. The investigation was
carried out in Belgrade, Serbia in two educational cycles, during spring 2007
and 2008. Sixteen- and 17-year old high schools students were targeted and
assessed before and after the educational intervention by means of
self-report questionnaire designed for this study (about skin types and sun
behavior). The students’ attitudes towards sun protection and sun behavior
before and after the educational intervention were compared and analyzed by
the Pearson's chi-square test and logistic regression analyses. In the second
educational cycle (2008) age and gender differences in sun behavior were
analyzed. Results. Overall 3205 students in 2007, and 2155 students in 2008
year from 11 high schools participated. A statistically significant behavior
change was observed for the use of sunglasses in 2007 - the number of
students using them increased from 41.6 % to 45.6% (p<0.05). There were no
significant changes in other ways of protection i.e. sunscreen use,
protective clothes or staying in shade. Conclusion. Educational program had
an impact, but broader activities involving schools, local communities and
media are needed for significant changes in sun behavior and attitude.
Keywords: adolescents, education, sun behavior, attitudes, health promotion, primary prevention