Investigstion of skin cancer knowledge levels and sun protection behaviors of students at a foundation university

This thesis was conducted as a descriptive research to investigate the skin cancer knowledge levels and sun protection behaviors of students at a foundation university. The study was conducted at Hasan Kalyoncu University between October 2024 and April 2025. The sample of the study was composed of 772 students who were studying at the university during the specified period and agreed to participate in the study, using the stratified random sampling method. The Sociodemographic and Personal Characteristics Form, the Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge Scale, and the Sun Protection Behavior Scale were used to collect data. Statistical analyses of the data were performed using IBM® SPSS® Statistics 30 using independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis, and stepwise regression analysis. The mean age of the students was 21.61±1.73 (min.=18, max.=26), and 64.4% were female. Students' knowledge of skin cancer and the effects of the sun, as well as their sun protection behaviors, were found to be at a moderate level. A positive and significant relationship was found between skin cancer and sun protection knowledge and sun protection behaviors. It was determined that knowledge of skin cancer risk factors positively affect students' sun protection behaviors, both directly and through their knowledge of sun protection. Female gender, age, having six or more moles on the body, a history of sunburn, no family history of cancer, and a mother's university-level education were found to be factors that positively influence and increase students' knowledge of skin cancer and sun protection. Additionally, female gender and sunscreen use were found to be factors that positively influence and increase students' sun protection behaviors. In line with the results of the research, it is recommended that nurses, within the scope of their role in protecting and promoting health, conduct education programs and awareness studies at universities on skin cancer risk factors and sun protection, and conduct nursing research to evaluate the effects of sun protection education given to young people on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.