Acceptability and feasibility of a community-based screening programme for melanoma in Australia

Lowe, John B., Ball, Jacqueline, Lynch, Brigid M., Baldwin, Louise, Janda, Monika, Stanton, Warren R. and Aitken, Joanne F. (2004) Acceptability and feasibility of a community-based screening programme for melanoma in Australia. Health Promotion International, 19 4: 437-444.


Author Lowe, John B.
Ball, Jacqueline
Lynch, Brigid M.
Baldwin, Louise
Janda, Monika
Stanton, Warren R.
Aitken, Joanne F.
Title Acceptability and feasibility of a community-based screening programme for melanoma in Australia
Journal name Health Promotion International  (ERA 2012 Listed)    (ERA 2010 Rank B)   Check publisher's open access policy
Publication date 2004-12-01
Sub-type Article
DOI 10.1093/heapro/dah405
Volume number 19
Issue number 4
ISSN 1460-2245: 0957-4824
Start page 437
End page 444
Total pages 8
Editor J. Casford
Place of publication Oxford
Publisher Oxford University Press
Collection year 2004
Language eng
Subject C1
321206 Preventive Medicine
730219 Behaviour and health
111716 Preventive Medicine
Abstract The evaluation of a community-based screening programme for melanoma (SkinWatch) in 18 regional communities (total adult population >30 years 63 035) in Queensland, Australia is described. The aim of the SkinWatch programme was to promote whole-body skin screening for melanoma by primary care physicians. The programme included community education, education and support for local medical practitioners and open-access skin screening clinics. Programme delivery was achieved through assistance of local volunteers. All programme activities and resources were recorded for process evaluation. A baseline telephone survey (n = 3110) and a telephone survey four months after programme launch (n = 680) assessed community awareness of the SkinWatch programme and, 37 face-to-face interviews with community members, doctors and community leaders were conducted to assess satisfaction with the programme. A sample of 1043 of 16 383 residents who attended the skin screening clinics provided as part of the programme were interviewed to assess reasons for attending, and positive and negative aspects of SkinWatch programme. Community awareness of the SkinWatch programme increased by over 30% (p < 0.001) within four months of the start of the programme. Interview participants described the SkinWatch programme as a useful service for the communities and 90% stated they would revisit the clinics. A total of 43% of all attendees were over 50 years old, and nearly 50% were men. These findings demonstrate the acceptability and feasibility of a community-based screening programme for melanoma in rural areas. Volunteers were instrumental in increasing community ownership of and involvement in the SkinWatch programme.
Keyword Health Policy & Services
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Community-based Melanoma Screening Trial
Process Evaluation
Volunteers
Disease Prevention Programs
Smoking Cessation Commit
Intervention Trial
Health-promotion
Heart-disease
Prevalence
Q-Index Code C1

 
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