Aim: Transtheoretical Model (TTM), which encompasses sensitive instruments that measure an individual's cognitive and behavioral processes, that individuals self-confidence with respect to making a change, the perception of the decision to change, and the factors that make change difficult. The aim of the present study was investigated in an adolescent population, the relationship between sun protection behavior and gender, age, economic level and skin type.
Materials and methods: The study sample comprised students enrolled in two private and a public school in the province of Sakarya, a total of 1060 elementary school 6th-8th grade students. The instruments were administered to a total of 900 adolescents in the May-June of 2010. The data were collected with sun protection scales based on the TTM. The Chi-square, Independent samples t test, ANOVA and percentages were used the data analysis.
Results: There was more significant progress in low ages, girls and sensitive skin type of the sun protection stages of change (p < 0.05). The sunscreen use stage was associated with female gender and economic levels (p < 0.05). Mean scores of the girls and low age were found to be significantly higher in self-efficacy and perception of pros (p < 0.05). Economic level was associated with sun protection behaviors and perception of pros (p < 0.05). Mean scores of the boys and sensitive skin were found to be significantly lower in perception of cons (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Gender, age, economic level and skin type appear to be important factors affecting sun exposure habits and sun protection behaviors among Turkish adolescent. Especially, it need to be improved in sun protection behaviors of the male, higher age 13, low economic level and dark-skinned adolescents.
Key words: Adolescent, Behavior change, Sun exposure, Sun protection, Transtheoretical model. Article Language: Turkish English
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