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

Author

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  • Gabriella Di Giuseppe

    (Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Naples, Italy)

  • Concetta P. Pelullo

    (Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Naples, Italy)

  • Maria Mitidieri

    (Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Naples, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Lioi

    (Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Naples, Italy)

  • Maria Pavia

    (Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriella Di Giuseppe & Concetta P. Pelullo & Maria Mitidieri & Giuseppe Lioi & Maria Pavia, 2020. "Cancer Prevention: Knowledge, Attitudes and Lifestyle Cancer-Related Behaviors among Adolescents in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8294-:d:442457
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roberta Mendes Abreu Silva & Amanda Cristina de Souza Andrade & Waleska Teixeira Caiaffa & Danielle Souto de Medeiros & Vanessa Moraes Bezerra, 2020. "National Adolescent School-based Health Survey - PeNSE 2015: Sedentary behavior and its correlates," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, January.
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