FACTORS RELATED TO NON-ATTENDANCE IN A POPULATION-BASED MELANOMA SCREENING-PROGRAM

A total of 127 non-attenders in a population-based melanoma screening program, 58 women and 69 men, were asked in a telephone interview abou t reasons for non-attendance. Of those, 105 also completed a mailed qu estionnaire, measuring perceived susceptibility to and knowledge about melanoma. During the same period, attenders (n = 286) at the screenin g clinic completed the same questionnaire. The most commonly reported reasons for non-attendance were 'I forgot about It', 'lack of time' an d 'no need for examination', a majority of non-attenders held a positi ve attitude towards preventive programs in general and to the present invitation, Most of the improvements suggested by the non-attenders we re strategies to reduce practical barriers. Non-attenders scored lower than attenders on perceived susceptibility. High and equal levels of knowledge about melanoma were found among attenders and non-attenders. Men were more likely to be non-attenders. Higher perceived susceptibi lity and a higher level of knowledge about melanoma were found among w omen as compared to men. The results suggests that there is potential to increase attendance in future melanoma programs by reducing practic al barriers. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.