Relationship of Knowledge and Practical Will to Practice of Cancer Prevention Lifestyle by Late School-aged Children

Cho, Mi Hye; Kwon, In Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify late school-aged children's knowledge, and practical will in the practice of cancer prevention lifestyle, and to examine the relations between these variables and factors that influence practice.
METHODS
The participants included 525 fifth and sixth grade students from 8 elementary schools in J and S cities. Data were collected in December 2008 using self-report questionnaires developed by the authors and were analyzed using the SPSS program.
RESULTS
Mean scores were, for knowledge of cancer prevention lifestyle, 0.76+/-0.11 out of a possible 1, practical will, 4.05+/-0.55 out of a possible 5, and practice, 3.66+/-0.41 also out of 5. There were differences in knowledge (F=4.39, p=.013), practical will (F=18.35, p<.001), and practice (F=29.13, p<.001) according to academic achievement and in practical will (F=3.68, p<.001) and practice (F=3.01, p=.003) according to grade. There were positive correlations between knowledge and practical will (r=.205, p<.001), knowledge and practice (r=.181, p<.001), practical will and practice (r=.628, p<.001). Practice will and knowledge of cancer prevention lifestyle showed a significant influence on practice.
CONCLUSION
Results of this study indicate that effective strategies should be developed to motivate the practical will for the practice of cancer prevention lifestyle during childhood.