Differences in Pharmacists’ Skin Cancer Prevention Strategies by Age and Gender

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe differences in pharmacists' children and personal skin cancer prevention strategies, clinical outcomes, knowledge and to determine if there were differences based on attending pharmacy school in Arizona or other states. The skin cancer prevention behaviours of pharmacists were also compared to the general public. Methods: Pharmacists registered and living in Arizona with an email address with the State Board of Pharmacy were eligible for the study. A questionnaire was developed based on questions from the NHIS survey. The questionnaire was administered by using an electronic, on-line survey form. Results: Graduates of non-Arizona schools were significantly more likely to have completed a CE course on skin cancer prevention than the Arizona group (16% vs. 6%). Both groups were not significantly different in gender and work sites. The knowledge of pharmacists in both groups were very similar (p > 0.1) except for knowledge of photosensitivity for certain drug classes (p = 0.043).Pharmacists were most knowledgeable on risk factors for melanoma (97%) Pharmacists were least knowledgeable on when sunscreen should be applied (20%) responded correctly and the minimum age for using sunscreen in children (26%) responded correctly. Pharmacists were more than twice as likely to use sunscreen as the general population (72% vs. 31%). Conclusions: Pharmacist graduates of non-Arizona schools (Non-Arizona group) used a similar number of skin cancer prevention strategies as graduates of Arizona schools (Arizona group). Sun protective measures utilized by parents for their children were superior to parents' own self-care sun protection measures.