Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem (Oct 2023)

Factors associated with older adults’ knowledge, attitude and practice on skin cancer prevention

  • Antonia Imaculada Santos Serafim,
  • Samia Jardelle Costa de Freitas Maniva,
  • Regina Kelly Guimarães Gomes Campos,
  • Paulo Goberlânio de Barros Silva,
  • Patrícia Neyva da Costa Pinheiro,
  • Consuelo Helena Aires de Freitas Lopes,
  • Huana Carolina Cândido Morais,
  • Aline de Oliveira de Freitas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0606
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 76, no. 3

Abstract

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ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify factors associated with older adults’ knowledge, attitude and practice regarding skin cancer prevention. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study, carried out with 120 older adults from a Basic Health Unit in Quixadá, Ceará, from September to November 2018. Results: individuals aged 60 to 69 years and working were statistically associated with adequate knowledge (p=0.038). Having light skin, eyes and hair was associated with adequate attitude (p=0.030). Having skin problems, such as bleeding wounds, was associated with adequate practice (p=0.016). With regard to inappropriate behavior for skin cancer prevention, there was a statistically significant association between working or having worked under direct exposure to the sun, inadequate knowledge (p=0.036), inadequate attitude (p=0.010) and having incomplete primary education and inadequate practice (p<0.001). Conclusions: sociodemographic and clinical factors influence older adults’ knowledge, attitude and practice regarding skin cancer prevention.

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