Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Sun Safety in Female Collegiate Athletes

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McGuffin, K. (2017). Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Sun Safety in Female Collegiate Athletes. Unc Charlotte Electronic Theses And Dissertations.
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Across the United States, there is a rising incidence of melanoma in the adolescent and young adult population. Collegiate athletes are at an increased risk of skin cancer due to prolonged, frequent exposure to ultra-violet radiation.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this quantitative study is to evaluate an improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and sun safety behaviors following an educational intervention for female collegiate athletes (N=81). METHODS: Data collection occurred in three phases: a pre-test issued before the face-to-face educational intervention, and a post-test issued immediately following the intervention. A final post-test was distributed three months after the intervention.RESULTS: Following an educational intervention, the collegiate athletes demonstrated an increase in knowledge as well as an improvement in attitudes and behaviors. The difference in knowledge between the pre-test and post-test was statistically significant (p<0.000). The increase in knowledge at the final post-test was also statistically significant (p<0.000). Approximately 79% of athletes applied sunscreen more often. CONCLUSION: Collegiate athletes are at an increased risk of skin cancer due to frequent, prolonged exposure to ultra-violet radiation during practices and competitions. Following an educational intervention, the female collegiate athletes experienced an improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and sun safety behaviors. Annual, routine sun safety education may reduce the risk of melanoma in this vulnerable population.

Details
Author

McGuffin, Katherine

Title

Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors Regarding Sun Safety in Female Collegiate Athletes

Physical Description

1 online resource (53 pages) : PDF

Date

2017

Degree Granting Institution

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Across the United States, there is a rising incidence of melanoma in the adolescent and young adult population. Collegiate athletes are at an increased risk of skin cancer due to prolonged, frequent exposure to ultra-violet radiation.OBJECTIVE: The aim of this quantitative study is to evaluate an improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and sun safety behaviors following an educational intervention for female collegiate athletes (N=81). METHODS: Data collection occurred in three phases: a pre-test issued before the face-to-face educational intervention, and a post-test issued immediately following the intervention. A final post-test was distributed three months after the intervention.RESULTS: Following an educational intervention, the collegiate athletes demonstrated an increase in knowledge as well as an improvement in attitudes and behaviors. The difference in knowledge between the pre-test and post-test was statistically significant (p<0.000). The increase in knowledge at the final post-test was also statistically significant (p<0.000). Approximately 79% of athletes applied sunscreen more often. CONCLUSION: Collegiate athletes are at an increased risk of skin cancer due to frequent, prolonged exposure to ultra-violet radiation during practices and competitions. Following an educational intervention, the female collegiate athletes experienced an improvement in knowledge, attitudes, and sun safety behaviors. Annual, routine sun safety education may reduce the risk of melanoma in this vulnerable population.

Genre

doctoral dissertations

Subjects--Topics

Nursing

Degree

D.N.P.

Keywords

Collegiate Athletes
Female Collegiate Athletes
Melanoma Risk
Skin Cancer
Sun Protective Behaviors
Sun Safety

Subject Area

Health Services Research

Advisor(s)

Jordan, Kathleen

Committee Members

Langford, David
Honeycutt, Jennifer
Laditka, Sarah

Degree Note

Thesis (D.N.P.)--University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2017.

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Rights Holder Information

Copyright is held by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Identifier

McGuffin_uncc_0694D_11334

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/etd:767