Determinants of Skin Cancer Preventive Behaviors Among Rural Farmers in Iran: an Application of Protection Motivation Theory

Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers,
worldwide, which happens more among those with more sunlight exposure like farmers. The aim of this study was to explore
the determinants of skin cancer preventive behaviors (SCPBs)
among rural farmers using Protection Motivation Theory
(PMT). In this cross-sectional study, multistage random sampling was employed to enroll 238 farmers referring to rural
health houses (HH) in Chaldoran County, Iran. A valid and
reliable instrument based on PMT variables was used.
Significant correlations were found between all PMT variables
with SCPBs (p< 0.05). Hierarchical multiple linear regressions
were performed with Protection Motivation and SCPBs as outcome variables. Predictors for these two outcome variables were
classified in two different blocks according to their natures.
Demographic characteristics (p> 0.05) and PMT constructs
(p< 0.001) explained 3 and 63.6 % of the observed variance
in Protection Motivation, respectively. Also, no significant
effect was found on SCPBs by demographic variables, in the
first block (ΔR2 = 0.025); however, in the second block,
Perceived Susceptibility (p= 0.000), Rewards (p= 0.022), Selfefficacy (p= 0.000), and Response Cost (p= 0.001) were significant predictors of SCPBs (ΔR2= 0.432). Health care providers
may consider PMT as a framework for developing educational
interventions aiming at improving SCPBs among rural farmers.