- 作者：Vilma Cokkinides ; Deborah Kirkl ; Kimberly Andrews ; Kristen Sullivan ; J. Leonard Lichtenfeld
- 关键词：health communication ; skin cancer prevention ; skin cancer protection behaviors
- 刊名：Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
- 出版年：2012
- 出版时间：October, 2012
- 年：2012
- 卷：67
- 期：4
- 页码：570-575
- 全文大小：109 K
Background
Little is known about the coverage of skin cancer prevention messages in news print media.Objective
To perform a content analysis of mass-media articles from newspaper and magazines pertaining to skin cancer prevention in 4 specific months (January, May, July, and October) in 2009 and assess the extent of coverage of skin cancer prevention messages.
Methods
We conducted a content analysis of 144 articles related to skin cancer prevention extracted from strategic media scans of selected months in 2009. We sought to provide the frequency of mass-media content categorized by theme and focus related to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) protection and risk-reducing behaviors.
Results
The audience for the vast majority (78 % ) of the articles was the general public. Among the assessed articles, more were published in May (49 % ) and July (35 % ) than in the remaining other months. The two most frequent themes focused on ¡®protection of the skin¡¯ (32 % ) and on ¡®skin cancer prevention¡¯ (23 % ) via risk reduction behavioral practices. Analysis of message content regarding UVR reduction practices showed that many mentioned ¡®use of sunscreen¡¯ (65 % of messages) with the least-often mentioned behaviors being ¡®seek shade¡¯ (6.3 % ) and ¡®do not burn¡¯ (1.4 % ). In addition, a quarter of the articles lacked any content mentioning recommended UVR reduction behaviors.
Limitations
This study was limited to the narrow scope of articles published in 2009 and for selected months.
Conclusions
This profile of mass-media content regarding skin cancer prevention revealed gaps in coverage of UVR reduction behaviors with possible room for improvement. Strategies for improving and comprehensiveness of coverage of recommended skin cancer prevention behaviors in the media are discussed.