Nursing students' health beliefs regarding skin cancer: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study

Objective: This study aimed to assess the health beliefs of nursing students concerning skin cancer. Methods: The research was conducted between April 1, 2025 and July 1, 2025, among students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing at a state university in Istanbul, Türkiye. Results: According to the Health Belief Model Scale for Skin Cancer, the mean score for perceived susceptibility was 25.48±3.54, perceived severity was 16.31±2.58, perceived benefits was 22.68±3.77, perceived barriers was 14.85±3.53, and self-efficacy was 22.96±3.78. Female students had higher scores for perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy compared to male students. Students with blue/green or hazel eyes scored higher on perceived severity than those with black eyes. Students who had received prior information about skin cancer demonstrated higher scores in perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy. Those who performed skin self-examinations had higher scores in perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy. Furthermore, students who used sunscreen scored higher in perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy compared to those who did not use sunscreen. In the multiple regression analysis, female gender and prior knowledge of skin cancer were identified as significant predictors of perceived susceptibility scores. Additionally, female gender and having fair skin were found to be positive predictors of perceived severity scores Conclusion: The health beliefs of nursing students regarding skin cancer were found to be at a moderate level. Female gender, prior knowledge about skin cancer, and having fair skin were identified as significant predictors of these health beliefs.