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

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.