Journal article
Investigating primary preservice teachers’ ultraviolet radiation awareness and perceived ability to teach sun safety
Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.32(S2), pp.178-184
2021
PMID: 32770684
Abstract
Issue addressed: Sun protection practices in Australian primary schools remain inconsistent. Therefore, this study investigates primary PSTs sun protective sun behaviours , ultraviolet (UV) radiation awareness and perceived ability to teach sun safety. Methods: A convenience sample of undergraduate PSTs (N = 275; mean age = 23.13 years) enrolled at one Western Australian university completed an online survey. Descriptive analyses provided features of the data. Factors associated with sun protection behaviours and perceived knowledge and skill to teach sun safety were explored using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Lesser than 10% of participants reported using sun protective measures daily (midday shade use: 6.5%; sunscreen: 7.6%; hat: 4.4%). Only 56.3% reported they understand the UV index, with 68.0% rarely/never using it to aid sun protection. Under half the participants reported they felt they had the knowledge (38.5%) or skills (40%) to effectively teach sun safety in primary schools. Regression analysis revealed gender, undergraduate, year and skin sensitivity were not predictors of UV index use (P > .05) or perceived knowledge of sun safety (P > .05). Skin sensitivity was the strongest predictor for shade usage (P = .02), hat usage (P = .05) and perceived skill to teach sun safety (P = .02). Conclusions: Survey data indicate UV radiation is inconsistently understood by PSTs. Many felt that they did not have the required knowledge or skill to teach sun safety effectively. So what? Improving PSTs UV radiation knowledge while at university is a potential opportunity to improve sun safety delivery in primary schools. A targeted intervention for PSTs is warranted. K E Y W O R D S behaviours, perceptions, primary, sun safety, teacher education, ultraviolet radiation
Details
- Title
- Investigating primary preservice teachers’ ultraviolet radiation awareness and perceived ability to teach sun safety
- Authors
- Joseph J Scott (Corresponding Author) - Edith Cowan UniversityRobyn Johnston (Author) - Edith Cowan UniversitySally Blane (Author) - Cancer Council Western AustraliaMark Strickland (Author) - Cancer Council Western AustraliaJill Darby (Author) - Edith Cowan UniversityElin Gray (Author) - Edith Cowan University
- Publication details
- Health Promotion Journal of Australia, Vol.32(S2), pp.178-184
- Publisher
- John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- Date published
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1002/hpja.401
- ISSN
- 2201-1617
- PMID
- 32770684
- Copyright note
- © 2020 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.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Education - Legacy; School of Education and Tertiary Access; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Cancer Research Cluster; STEM in Education Research Theme
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99510108202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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