Development and Effects of Cancer Prevention Program for Nursing Students

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop and evaluate the effects of a cancer prevention program for nursing students. METHODS: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were 53 nursing students (intervention group: 26, control group: 27). The cancer prevention program was provided for 3 weeks (3 sessions, 6 hours). Collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, nursing students in the cancer prevention program group showed significant differences in perceived benefits (F=6.98, p=.001), perceived self-efficacy (F=16.00, p<.001), activity related affect (F=14.01, p<.001) and health behavior for cancer prevention (F=16.59, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Study findings indicate that the cancer prevention program for nursing students is effective and can be recommended as an intervention for improving the health behavior of cancer prevention in nursing students.

Factors Influencing Practices of Health Behavior for Cancer Prevention in University Students

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors influencing practices of health behavior for cancer prevention in university students. METHODS: Data were collected by questionnaires from 332 university students in J city. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Scheffes test, and stepwise multiple regression analysis were performed with SPSS/WIN 21.0. RESULTS: The mean score of practices of health behavior for cancer prevention was 3.18+/-.41. Significant factors that affect practices of health behavior for cancer prevention in university students were self-efficacy, perceived benefits, health status, activity related affect, exercise, family's economic status, and the fear of cancer. These variables explained 31.7% of practices of health behavior for cancer prevention. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that the level of practices of health behavior is not sufficient for cancer prevention among university students. Therefore it is necessary to develop a tailored education program to improve the practices of health behavior for cancer prevention in university students. It is also suggested that the education be focused on self-efficacy, perceived benefits and activity related affect.