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Sun Protection Training Based on a Theater Play for Preschoolers: an Effective Method for Imparting Knowledge on Sun Protection?

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Abstract

Sun protection in childhood is important to reduce the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. The “Periods-of-Life-Program” for primary prevention of skin cancer introduces a combination of individual and environmental interventions for the preschool period. Within this pilot study, an intervention group received cognitive–behavioral and environmental interventions. A control group had solely received the environmental intervention, and a wait–control group received no intervention. Nursery school children (n = 80, 3 to 6 years of age) of four nursery schools were randomly assigned to these groups on school level. The ability of the cognitive–behavioral intervention (a theater play) to enhance sun protection knowledge was examined. The theater play improved knowledge over all age groups (p < .05 η2 = .06). Age-specific analyses showed better results for children aged 5 to 6 (p < .05 η2 = .20) compared to children aged 3 to 4 years (p = .17 η2 = .04). In combining cognitive–behavioral and environmental interventions, the “Periods-of-Life-Program” is a promising strategy for primary prevention of skin cancer.

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Acknowledgment

This study was supported by Deutsche Krebshilfe e.V. (German cancer aid) in the program for the “Development of Interdisciplinary Oncology Centers of Excellence”, reference number: 107759. We would also like to thank the Arbeiterwohlfahrt Kreisverband Sächsische Schweiz e.V. as well as all nursery school staff that we have been cooperating with.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Cancer Center at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Nadja Seidel, Friederike Stoelzel, Sandra Herrmann, Michael Baumann & Gerhard Ehninger

  2. Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Marlene Garzarolli

  3. Association of Dermatological Prevention, Am Krankenhaus 1, 21614, Buxtehude, Hamburg, Germany

    Eckhard Wilhelm Breitbart

  4. Medical Psychology, Medical Faculty, Technical University Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany

    Hendrik Berth

Authors
  1. Nadja Seidel
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  2. Friederike Stoelzel
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  3. Marlene Garzarolli
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  4. Sandra Herrmann
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  5. Eckhard Wilhelm Breitbart
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  6. Hendrik Berth
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  7. Michael Baumann
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  8. Gerhard Ehninger
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Nadja Seidel or Friederike Stoelzel.

Additional information

N. Seidel and F. Stoelzel contributed equally to this manuscript.

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Seidel, N., Stoelzel, F., Garzarolli, M. et al. Sun Protection Training Based on a Theater Play for Preschoolers: an Effective Method for Imparting Knowledge on Sun Protection?. J Canc Educ 28, 435–438 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0483-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0483-z

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