Skin cancer protective behaviors among the elderly: Explaining their response to a health education program using the health belief model.
Carmel, S., Shani, E., & Rosenberg, L. (1996). Skin cancer protective behaviors among the elderly: Explaining their response to a health education program using the health belief model. Educational Gerontology, 22(7), 651-668.
An evaluation study of an intervention for prevention of skin cancer among all age groups was conducted in 4 kibbutzim (collective settlements) in Israel. The subsample for this study was 43 elderly persons (aged 60 yrs and over). The objectives were to assess (a)behavioral adherence to messages regarding sun-exposure protective behaviors (SEPB) and early detection; (b) long-term changes(after 4 mo) in skin cancer related behavior and in general health beliefs; and (c) the explanatory power of the original Health Belief Model (HBM) variables (formulated specifically for skin cancer), and of an expanded HBM, which also includes the value of health (VH) the measure of internal health locus of control (HLC-I), and the interaction of these 2 in the elderly's engagement in 2 kinds of skin cancer protective behaviors: SEPB, and self-examination (SE). Findings show a significant change in the recommended direction in SEPB. Beliefs about skin cancer generally remained stable over the 4-mo period; basic health beliefs, however, changed during this period.
