Background: Most skin cancers are preventable by encouraging consistent use of sun protective behaviour. In\r\nAustralia, adolescents have high levels of knowledge and awareness of the risks of skin cancer but exhibit\r\nsignificantly lower sun protection behaviours than adults. There is limited research aimed at understanding why\r\npeople do or do not engage in sun protective behaviour, and an associated absence of theory-based interventions\r\nto improve sun safe behaviour. This paper presents the study protocol for a school-based intervention which aims\r\nto improve the sun safe behaviour of adolescents.\r\nMethods/design: Approximately 400 adolescents (aged 12-17 years) will be recruited through Queensland,\r\nAustralia public and private schools and randomized to the intervention (n = 200) or ââ?¬Ë?wait-listââ?¬â?¢ control group (n =\r\n200). The intervention focuses on encouraging supportive sun protective attitudes and beliefs, fostering\r\nperceptions of normative support for sun protection behaviour, and increasing perceptions of control/self-efficacy\r\nover using sun protection. It will be delivered during three Ã?â?? one hour sessions over a three week period from a\r\ntrained facilitator during class time. Data will be collected one week pre-intervention (Time 1), and at one week\r\n(Time 2) and four weeks (Time 3) post-intervention. Primary outcomes are intentions to sun protect and sun\r\nprotection behaviour. Secondary outcomes include attitudes toward performing sun protective behaviours (i.e.,\r\nattitudes), perceptions of normative support to sun protect (i.e., subjective norms, group norms, and image norms),\r\nand perceived control over performing sun protective behaviours (i.e., perceived behavioural control).\r\nDiscussion: The study will provide valuable information about the effectiveness of the intervention in improving\r\nthe sun protective behaviour of adolescents.
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