Use of the multi-theory model (MTM) in explaining initiation and sustenance of indoor tanning cessation among college students.

Skin cancer, including melanoma, is the most common cancer worldwide and a significant public health concern. A significant risk factor for melanoma is through increased exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation through the use of indoor tanning beds. Although rates of indoor tanning bed use have decreased in recent years, young adults, particularly White, college-age women, comprise the majority of indoor tanning bed users in the United States. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to explore and explain the initiation and sustenance of indoor tanning cessation among college students using the multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. Data were collected from 254 college students who reported current indoor tanning use using a validated 46-item survey to assess demographics and the MTM constructs. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression to determine the ability of the MTM constructs to predict the initiation and sustenance of indoor tanning cessation. For initiation of indoor tanning cessation, participatory dialogue: advantages (B = 0.038, p = 0.001), behavioral confidence (B = 0.129, p < 0.001) and changes in the physical environment (B = 0.088, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with indoor tanning cessation following covariate adjustment. For sustenance, only emotional transformation (B = 0.140, p < 0.001) demonstrated a significant relationship with indoor tanning cessation, following adjustment. Findings from this study demonstrate the utility of the MTM in explaining indoor tanning cessation and designing intervention strategies and clinical recommendations to encourage indoor tanning cessation among college students.

A multi-theory model based analysis of correlates for initiating and sustaining mammography screening behavior among Hispanic American women in the United States.

Background: Despite the known advantages of mammography, screening rates among Hispanic American women are lower compared to other ethnic groups. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to explore correlates of mammography screening behavior among a sample of Hispanic women aged 45-54 years living in the United States using the multi-theory model (MTM). Methods: A 50-item web-based survey consisting of psychometrically valid tools based on MTM theoretical framework was administered through non-random sampling procedures using Qualtrics. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: Out of 370 participants, nearly 49% (n=189) reported not having a mammogram in the past two years. The mean age of the sample was 48.8±2.8 years. A greater proportion of participants who have had a mammogram reported having health insurance compared to those who have not had a mammogram (93.1% vs. 75.7%, P <0.001). Results of hierarchical regression suggest that all MTM constructs, including participatory dialogue, behavioral confidence, and changes in the physical environment explained 33.4% of variance in initiating mammography behavior among those who have not had a mammogram. Similarly, practice for change, emotional transformation, and changes in the social environment explained 53% of the variance in sustenance of the behavior change. Conclusion: Along with the MTM subscales, this study points to the important correlates such as health insurance and messaging by healthcare providers to promote the mammography seeking behavior among Hispanic women.

Factors Associated with Likelihood to Undergo Cosmetic Surgical Procedures Among Young Adults in the United States: A Narrative Review.

Introduction/Goals: Over the past decade, cosmetic surgical procedures have become increasingly popular. This trend has been driven by procedural innovations as well as access to Internet and social media. Consequently, patients have been seeking cosmetic surgical procedures at younger ages. In this narrative review, studies assessing attitudes towards cosmetic surgical procedures among college-aged young adults were evaluated. Methods: A search identified 20 studies published from 2002 to 2021 that focused on cosmetic surgical procedures among young adults. Each study used survey-based data to determine attitudes, acceptance, interests, perceptions, and beliefs about cosmetic surgical procedures among college-aged students in the United States. Results: The proportion of college-aged participants who had undergone cosmetic surgical procedures ranged from 1.3% to 6.4% with surveys reporting that between 21 and 43% were interested in procedures in the future. In general, young women were more likely to express interest in cosmetic surgical procedures than young men. Studies consistently demonstrated an inverse relationship between body satisfaction and use of aesthetic procedures among this patient population. Other factors associated with acceptance and approval of cosmetic surgical procedures included importance of appearance to self-worth, concern with social standing and attractiveness, investment in appearance, media influence on body image, and positive attitudes towards celebrities. Exposure to cosmetic surgery advertising was correlated with increased approval of cosmetic surgical procedures, especially the perception that advertising influences "others" more than survey respondents themselves. Conclusion: Interest in cosmetic surgical procedures continues to grow among young adults in the United States. In the future, this cohort is likely to become an increasingly important demographic to target for education, advertising, and research regarding cosmetic surgical procedures.

Skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices among non-medical skin care professionals: A narrative review of cross-sectional and interventional studies.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancers are the most common malignancies in the United States. Total body skin examination by a physician, especially a dermatologist, is the gold standard for detecting suspicious lesions that may require further evaluation. Non-medical professionals (NMPs) including massage therapists, estheticians, hairdressers, and cosmetologists have the unique opportunity to frequently examine their client's skin outside of a clinical setting. By evaluating their knowledge of and comfort with evaluation of suspicious lesions, multiple studies have gauged the utility of patient encounters with NMPs for skin cancer detection. Several studies have also focused on assessment of intervention strategies for assessing and improving NMPs ability to detect suspicious lesions and to refer for physician evaluation when necessary. AIMS: To conduct a narrative review of skin cancer knowledge, attitudes, and practices among NMPs. PATIENTS/METHODS: A systematic search of the databases yielded 16 studies for review. A total of 8 cross-sectional studies examined the knowledge and attitudes of NMPs toward skin evaluation, and 8 studies assessed interventional strategies for improving NMPs' ability to assess skin lesions for consideration of physician referral. RESULTS: This review finds that NMPs are open to the idea of examining the exposed body surfaces relevant to their work with clients and are willing to refer for physician evaluation when needed. Multiple interventional strategies have demonstrated success with educating NMPs on the importance of skin surveillance and the characteristic physical examination findings associated with skin cancers. CONCLUSION: Strengthening the readiness of NMPs to examine their client's skin offers an opportunity to reduce time to skin cancer diagnosis, improve patient outcomes, and lower healthcare-associated costs of skin cancer treatment.

Skin cancer-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices among the population in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a systematic search and literature review.

Skin cancers are the most common malignancies diagnosed worldwide. In Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, skin cancer remains a significant health burden. Multiple studies have attempted to elucidate patient knowledge and attitudes regarding skin cancer risks and behavioral interventions to reduce risks. A systematic literature search of relevant articles was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and the Saudi Digital Library databases. A narrative analysis of relevant study results was conducted. A total of 12 studies were reviewed across GCC. These studies revealed common themes among GCC populations. Many study participants were aware that excess sun exposure represents a threat to health and increases cancer risk. Several studies reported sun exposure, with a mean of 19.13 h per week. More studies reported patients engaging in lower or no sunscreen use rather than regular sunscreen use. There are discrepancies in the understanding of sun exposure risk and risk mitigation practices among the study populations. Skin cancer poses a significant burden to patients in GCC countries and improved patient education will enhance population health.

Attitudes and practice among dermatologists regarding indoor tanning.

The aim of this study was to explore dermatologists' practices and attitudes related to educating and counseling their adolescent patients about indoor tanning. An online survey was carried out with a convenience sample of 100 dermatologists. Findings indicated that the majority of the dermatologists are actively engaged in discussing tanning bed use and sun protection with their adolescent patients. Most expressed positive attitudes toward educating patients on the risks of tanning bed use. Limited time was the most commonly reported barrier for the lack of discussion regarding indoor tanning. Of note, more than half of the dermatologists (65%) had patients suffering from tanning addiction. For tanning-addicted patients, dermatologists can encourage lifestyle changes, the use of sunless tanning products, and referrals when the patient's needs extend beyond the scope of the dermatologist.

Utilizing Multi-Theory Model in Determining Intentions to Smoking Cessation Among Smokers.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is a risk factor for lung cancers, and a myriad of other acute and chronic ailments. The purpose of this study was to predict initiation and sustenance of smoking cessation among smokers using a fourth-generation behavioral framework, multi-theory model (MTM) of health behavior change. METHODS: A convenience sample of smokers from a shopping mall in rural, Appalachian Kentucky county was invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. A 38-item, face and content validated, MTM-based survey instrument was administered to the participants. RESULTS: A total of 148 participants completed the study. The mean age of the participants was 35.53 (SD = 14.52) years. Most were male (58.1%) and Caucasian (95.9%). Participants reported smoking for an average of 16.45 (SD = 13.12) years. Participatory dialogue (ß = 0.235, P = .003) and behavioral confidence (ß = 0.305, P = .005) were significant predictors of intention for initiation for smoking cessation behavior. Emotional transformation (ß = 0.319, P = .001) was a significant predictor of intention for sustenance for smoking cessation behavior. DISCUSSION: Two of the MTM constructs for initiation and one of the MTM constructs for sustenance of change accounted for a moderate amount of variance in initiation and sustenance of smoking cessation behavior among community members in a rural, Kentucky county. MTM has utility for predicting both initiation and sustenance of smoking cessation behavior. Future interventions using MTM constructs should be developed for smoking cessation behavior change.

Sun Protection Behaviors of State Park Workers in the Southeastern USA.

BACKGROUND: Due to the nature of their work, state park workers receive substantial exposure to sunlight, putting them at an increased risk of developing skin cancer. Increased use of sun protection behaviors can reduce this risk. OBJECTIVES: Using the health belief model (HBM) as a theoretical framework, the purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with sun protection behaviors among state-park workers. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a convenience sample of participants were recruited from 23 state parks in the Southeastern USA to complete a self-administered questionnaire based on the constructs of the HBM. RESULTS: The sample comprised 310 state park workers. The majority of participants were non-Hispanic White (61.6%), male (63.5%), and were aged 39.56 (±13.97) years on average. The average duration of sun exposure during the workday was reported as 3.51 h (±1.88). Nearly 12% of the participants reported that their workplace had a sun-safety policy and ~10% reported receiving sun-safety training at their workplace. The majority of participants reported that they did not sufficiently use sun protection methods. Factors associated with sun protection behaviors included the HBM constructs of perceived benefits outweighing perceived barriers (standardized coefficient = 0.210, P = 0.001), self-efficacy (standardized coefficient = 0.333, P < 0.001), and cues to action (standardized coefficient = 0.179, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Future research should explore the barriers to adopting and enforcing sun-safety policies in the workplace. HBM appears to be efficacious in explaining sun protection behaviors among state park workers. HBM constructs should be considered in future interventions aimed at increasing sun protection behaviors in this population.

"Drunkorexia": Understanding eating and physical activity behaviors of weight conscious drinkers in a sample of college students.

OBJECTIVE: Behaviors of weight conscious drinkers (BWCD) include disordered eating, excessive physical activity (PA), and heavy episodic drinking. Considering that approximately 25% of the college students report BWCD, it is important to investigate what characteristics increase the likelihood of college students engaged in BWCD for both moderate and vigorous PAs. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 510 college students were recruited from a large, public southeastern university. METHODS: Participants completed a cross-sectional survey during the spring 2015 semester. RESULTS: Of 510 respondents, 11.2% reported moderate PA-based BWCD and 14.7% reported vigorous PA-based BWCD. Weight loss intention, BMI and Greek affiliation predicted both moderate and vigorous BWCD. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that Greek-affiliated students and students with weight loss intentions might be at an increased risk for BWCD. Along with promoting lower levels of alcohol consumption, college practitioners should consider discussing issues of weight and body image with college students as they relate to maladaptive drinking behavior.

Perceptions and Practices of the Iranian Population regarding Skin Cancers: A Literature Review.

Despite being preventable, more than 15% of all cancer cases in Iran occur in the skin, making them the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in the country. The purpose of this study is to gain an insight into the current skin cancer related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices among the Iranian population. A systematic computer based literature search was conducted using databases for articles published through April 2017. Research studies included those that measured skin cancer or sun protection related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in different Iranian population groups. Exclusion criteria for the articles included (1) irrelevant topics to the review article's aim, (2) articles that focused on the treatment of skin cancers instead of prevention practices, and (3) similar studies conducted on populations not indigenous to Iran. A total of 25 articles that met the eligibility criteria were included in the review. Predominant data were collected via questionnaires. Skin cancer related knowledge varied from low to high across the studies. Moreover, there was a pattern of low perceived skin cancer susceptibility and severity. Overall, there was low usage of sun protection methods among the Iranian population. The findings of this study show that efforts to prevent skin cancer are needed. Education concerning the dangers of sun exposure as well as strategies used to prevent or lower the risk of developing skin cancer should be stressed.