Cancer Prevention

Knowledge, Attitudes and Lifestyle Cancer-Related Behaviors among Adolescents in Italy

Bibliographic Data

ID15504747
AuthorsGabriella Di Giuseppe (0000-0003-4466-6683, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Concetta Paola Pelullo (0000-0003-4228-8703, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Maria Mitidieri (University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Giuseppe Lioi (University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"), Maria Pavia (0000-0003-3879-1322, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue22
Pages8294-8294
Publication date2020-11-10
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17228294
PMID33182588
OpenAlexW3105127360
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited28

This study explores knowledge, attitudes and lifestyle behaviors related to cancer in a sample of adolescents. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. 871 adolescents agreed to participate, with a response rate of 96.8%. Only 26.1% had a good level of knowledge on most risk factors for cancer. Adolescents with both parents employed, with a personal, familiar or friend history of cancer or having received information about cancer prevention from a physician, were more likely to have good knowledge about the risk factors for cancer. In total, 41% of participants declared that they consumed alcohol and 25.3% declared they were current smokers, 19.2% consumed fruits or vegetables more than once a day and 75.2% reported poor physical activity. Older adolescents, with a personal, familiar or friend history of cancer, not having one parent in the healthcare sector or not physically active were significantly more likely to be current smokers, whereas physical activity was significantly more likely in adolescents who had been informed by physicians on cancer prevention, and had one parent in the healthcare sector. This study highlights a need for improved education of adolescents about cancer prevention and lifestyle cancer-related behaviors

Cancer · Cancer prevention · Family medicine · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · Family Support in Illness · Medicine · School Health and Nursing Education · Gerontology · Internal Medicine

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access