Impact of an Educational Intervention Based on the BASNEF Model on Skin Cancer Preventive Behavior of College Students

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world but is largely preventable through protective behavior. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention based on the BASNEF model on skin cancer prevention and protective behavior in midwifery students in Urmia. METHODS: In this quasi-experimental study, the subject population comprised 100 midwifery students in two groups, study and control (n = 50 in each). The sample was collected using a stratified random sampling method. The data collection tool was a multi-section questionnaire which included demographic questions, knowledge and structures (attitude, enabling factors, subjective norms, behavior and attitude). The educational intervention was carried out in three 45-minute sessions. Data were collected during face-to-face discussions before the educational intervention and three months thereafter and analyzed using paired t-test and independent t-test statistics. RESULTS: The results showed that after intervention, mean score of knowledge was significantly higher in the study group compared to the control group. Significant improvement in mean scores for attitude, enabling factors, mental norms, and intent of behavior was limited to the study group Also, behavior for prevention of skin cancer was significantly better in the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that the BASNEF model is effective for promotion of skin cancer prevention behavior.