Comparing health literacy and behavioral changes in adulthood: A pilot study on alumni of a single school cancer education program

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304381
• Publication Date: 2024-05-29T17:38:17Z
• Authors: Masanari Minamitani; Atsuto Katano; Tsukasa Sasaki; Satoshi Yamaguchi; Keiichi Nakagawa
• Keywords: Health Literacy

Cancer education programs are regularly conducted in schools Japan. Previous reports on their effectiveness were based surveys several months after the education. We aimed to evaluate whether cancer for children influenced behavioral changes adulthood. targeted where Japan Society has since 2011 and program participants older than 21 years currently. Invitations sent controls who graduated one year before or participants, answers obtained using an online questionnaire. Data collected willingness undergo screening, sociodemographic characteristics, healthy behaviors, health literacy. compared data from with those controls. requested cooperation 13 schools; however, only agreed. The common reason refusal was privacy concerns. In all-boys participating school Tokyo, there no significant difference background information between (38 participants) control (55 groups. Multiple linear regression showed that healthcare welfare (β = 0.25, p 0.01) literacy 0.24, 0.02) predictors of screening intention, while presence (p 0.25) not. Despite severe selection bias, this is first study examine long-term impacts found measured outcome. However, educational content at time differed today, program’s efficacy should not be negated.