From Sunbeds to Sunscreen: A Curriculum Empowering Oregon Adolescents to Take Charge of Their Skin Health

Background: Early intervention is key to early detection and reduction of melanoma morbidity and mortality. Oregon currently has no formal statewide, high school-based educational curriculum addressing prevention and early detection of melanoma. Objective: To design and test the effects of a multimedia high-school education curriculum on knowledge, attitudes, and intentions correlated with melanoma primary prevention behaviors and early detection. Methods: A 50-minute curriculum was designed using evidence-based learning theories. Students received pre- and post-surveys to measure knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral change intention. Data was collected and analyzed from 162 students during 2020-2021 and 531 students in 2021-22. Results: Students demonstrated significant improvement in their knowledge of melanoma and sun safety in both phases of curriculum implementation. Significant increases in attitudes and confidence in performing sun-safe behaviors were also found. Conclusion: Our curriculum intervention successfully improved knowledge, attitudes, and intentions around melanoma and sun safety among high school students across Oregon.研究背景：早期干预是实现黑素瘤（melanoma）早诊并降低其发病率与死亡率的关键。目前俄勒冈州尚未设立正式的全州范围内、面向高中阶段的黑素瘤预防与早诊教育课程。 研究目标：设计一款多媒体高中教育课程，并评估其对与黑素瘤一级预防行为及早诊相关的知识、态度与意向的影响。 研究方法：本研究基于循证学习理论设计了时长50分钟的课程。通过前后问卷调查测量学生的知识、态度及行为改变意向。研究分别于2020-2021学年与2021-2022学年收集并分析了162名及531名学生的数据。 研究结果：在两个课程实施阶段中，学生在黑素瘤与日光安全相关知识上均呈现显著提升；同时，学生在执行日光安全行为的态度与自信心方面也出现显著增强。 研究结论：本课程干预方案可有效提升俄勒冈州全体高中学生对黑素瘤与日光安全相关的知识、态度及意向。