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Teacher perceptions of sun protection practices in the secondary school setting: Barriers, enablers and recommendations for future.
- Source :
-
Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals [Health Promot J Austr] 2020 Apr; Vol. 31 (2), pp. 258-267. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jul 23. - Publication Year :
- 2020
-
Abstract
- Objective: This qualitative study aimed to explore sun protection barriers and enablers in secondary schools in Victoria.<br />Methods: Five focus groups were conducted with nominated Health or Physical Education (PE) Coordinators (or other staff representatives) from schools in metropolitan and regional Victoria. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded thematically.<br />Results: Participants identified the need for regulatory influences that included minimum standards for sun protection policy, training and shade in the built environment. Participants perceived that sun protection is not always acknowledged to be a duty of care in secondary schools. A crowded health and well-being curriculum, a focus on fostering independence, and challenges overcoming peer norms were perceived to be important contextual influences. At an organisational level, strong leadership and a united approach among staff were identified as critical ingredients for successful policy implementation and organisational change. Several potentially effective strategies were proposed, including increased shade, leveraging from student leaders, normalising sun protection practices and prioritising staff role modelling.<br />Conclusions: A cultural shift is required for many schools to accept and act on sun protection as a duty of care. A comprehensive approach that includes regulatory action, healthy school policies and leading by example may help protect students and staff from harmful UV exposure during school hours. SO WHAT?: Without regulatory support, strong leadership is required to implement and enforce sun protection practices within schools. Health promotion programs could assist schools to trial and evaluate the sun protection strategies that involve student-led solutions, role modelling and increasing shade.<br /> (© 2019 Australian Health Promotion Association.)
- Subjects :
- Focus Groups
Health Education organization & administration
Health Promotion standards
Humans
Perception
Protective Clothing
School Health Services standards
Schools standards
Socioeconomic Factors
Sunburn prevention & control
Sunscreening Agents administration & dosage
Victoria
Health Promotion organization & administration
School Health Services organization & administration
School Teachers psychology
Schools organization & administration
Skin Neoplasms prevention & control
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1036-1073
- Volume :
- 31
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31269302
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.273