SKIN-CANCER PROTECTIVE BEHAVIORS AMONG THE ELDERLY - EXPLAINING THEIRRESPONSE TO A HEALTH-EDUCATION PROGRAM USING THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL

An evaluation study of an intervention for prevention of shin cancer a mong all age groups was conducted in four kibbutzim (collective settle ments) in Israel. The sample for this study was restricted to the 43 ( 8.4%) elderly persons aged 60 and over who participated in the study. The objectives of this study were to assess: (a) behavioral adherence to messages regarding sun-exposure protective behaviors (SEPB) and ear ly detection; (b) long-term changes (after 4 months) in, shin cancer r elated behavior and in general health beliefs; and (c) the explanatory power of the original Health Belief Model (HBM) variables (formulated specifically for shin. cancer), and of an expanded HEM, which also in cludes the value of health (VH) the measure of internal health locus o f control (HLC-I) and the interaction of these two in the elderly's en gagement in true hinds of shin cancer protective behaviors: SEPB, and self-examination (SE). The findings of this study show a significant c hange in the recommended direction in SEPB. Beliefs about skin cancer generally remained stable over the I-month period; basic health belief s, however, changed during this period. The addition of an, interactiv e effect of the VH and of HLC-I to a model built on the original HEM d imensions was found to significantly increase the explanatory power of the VH and of the HLC-I variables, as well as of the expanded HBM, re garding engagement in the two hinds of protective behaviors. The theor etical and practical importance of these findings for health education programs for the elderly is discussed.