A novel skin cancer prevention strategy: Preservice teachers' perceptions of a sun safety intervention and experiences in schools

Joseph J Scott; Robyn S  Johnston; Jill Darby; Sally Blane; Mark Strickland; Bronwen McNoe

doi:10.1002/hpja.638

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A novel skin cancer prevention strategy: Preservice teachers' perceptions of a sun safety intervention and experiences in schools

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

A novel skin cancer prevention strategy: Preservice teachers' perceptions of a sun safety intervention and experiences in schools

Joseph J Scott, Robyn S Johnston, Jill Darby, Sally Blane, Mark Strickland and Bronwen McNoe

Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.34(1), pp.255-263

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.638

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

Teacher education and professional development of educators

Physical education and development curriculum and pedagogy

Health promotion

Pedagogy

Teacher and instructor development

Behaviour and health

perceptions

prevention

school

skin cancer

sun safety

teacher education

Health

Physical activity

Children

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Issue addressed: Teachers play a vital role in developing children's sun protection routines however upskilling preservice teachers (PSTs) while at university has not yet been trialled as a targeted skin cancer prevention strategy. Hence, this study investigated PSTs perceptions and experiences of sun safety following a brief pilot intervention and placement in primary schools in Western Australia. Methods: This study used a triangulation mixed methods design. Participants (n = 161) completed a post intervention survey which was analysed quantitatively. A random sub-sample was invited to participate in focus groups (three groups, n = 21) and one-on-one interviews (n = 4). This data was transcribed and uploaded in NVIVO software for thematic analysis. Results: Participants felt the intervention increased their awareness of the dangers of overexposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) with many feeling more knowledgeable , skilled and confident to teach sun safety in school settings. Most reported clear sun safety messages in their placement schools. However, only 34.4% reported they had been briefed on the school's sun safety procedures. There was consensus among PSTs that sun protection in primary schools needs to be improved to maximise the protection of children from harmful UVR overexposure. Participants supported a need for consistent sun protection messaging across primary schools with greater emphasis on education rather than compliance management to sun protection. Conclusion: Enhancing existing teacher education programs to include more rigorous curriculum content and pedagogical approaches to sun protection education is a novel skin cancer prevention strategy and could feasibly support PSTs self-efficacy to effectively deliver sun safety curriculum in Australian schools.

Details

Title: A novel skin cancer prevention strategy: Preservice teachers' perceptions of a sun safety intervention and experiences in schools
Authors: Joseph J Scott (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Education and Tertiary Access
Robyn S Johnston (Author) - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Jill Darby (Author) - Edith Cowan University
Sally Blane (Author) - Cancer Council Western Australia
Mark Strickland (Author) - Cancer Council Western Australia
Bronwen McNoe (Author) - University of Otago
Publication details: Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.34(1), pp.255-263
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Date published: 2023
DOI: 10.1002/hpja.638
ISSN: 2201-1617; 1036-1073
Copyright note: © 2022 The Authors. Health Promotion Journal of Australia published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australian Health Promotion Association. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Grants: Edith Cowan University ECR Grant, G1004374, Edith Cowan University (Australia, Perth) - ECU
Organisation Unit: School of Education and Tertiary Access; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Cancer Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99659798102621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health

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