Skin Cancer Prevention: Psychosocial Predictors of Sunscreen Use in University Students

Skin cancer has the most prevention potential among all cancers. Sunscreen use is an effective method in reducing the risk prevalence of skin cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the cognitive determinants of sunscreen use among university students based on the health belief model (HBM). This cross-sectional study was conducted among 301 university students in the west of Iran. Students were randomly selected to participate voluntarily in the study. Participants filled out a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16 using appropriate statistical tests including correlation and logistic regression at 95% significance level. Our results indicated 44.2% of participants reported had always sunscreen use. Among the HBM constructs, cues to action with odds ratio estimate of 1.146 (95% CI 1.061, 1.239) and perceived self-efficacy with odds ratio estimate of 1.131 (95% CI 1.036, 1.234) were the more influential predictors on always sunscreen use. Female students and high levels of mother's education were significant predictors of sunscreen use. It seems these findings are useful in planning health promotion programs aimed at increasing self-efficacy for sunscreen use.