Study of the Determinants of Protective Behavior against Skin Cancer Based on the Extended Parallel Process Model in Medical Students of Shahrekord Branch of Azad University in 2021: A Descriptive Study

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers, and the best way to prevent it is to protect yourself from the sun. The aim of this study was to determine the factors determining the protective behavior of skin cancer based on the extended parallel process model in medical students of Shahrekord Branch of Azad University in 2021.

This descriptive study was conducted on 196 students of Shahrekord Azad University School of Medical Sciences. Convenience (available) sampling was applied according to students' field. A questionnaire based on the extended parallel processes model was used to collect information, and data was analyzed using analysis of multiple linear regression.

The mean and standard deviation of age of participants were 21.84±4.19 years and 100 (51%) were female and 96 (49%) were male. According to the findings, the perceived intensity structure had the highest score among the model structures. Among the constructs of defensive avoidance model (β=0.445) and self-efficacy (β=0.424), the strongest predictor was behavioral intention (p<0.001), and behavioral intention (β=0.669) was the strongest predictor of skin cancer prevention behaviors (p<0.001).

The results showed that the structure of perceived self-efficacy and behavioral intention are the most effective factors on preventive behaviors of skin cancer. Therefore, it is recommended that in the field of development of educational interventions in the prevention of skin cancer, these structures should be considered more.