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Health Promotion International Advance Access published online on November 1, 2004
Health Promotion International, doi:10.1093/heapro/dah405
© 2004 by Oxford University Press
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Article

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

John B. Lowe 1, Jacqueline Ball 2, Brigid M. Lynch 3, Louise Baldwin 4, Monika Janda 5, Warren R. Stanton 6, and Joanne F. Aitken 7*

1 Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, USA
2 Information and Communications Division, Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing, Australia
3 Queensland Cancer Fund, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
4 Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
5 Queensland Cancer Fund, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology and Queensland Cancer Fund, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
6 School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology and Queensland Cancer Fund, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
7 Queensland Cancer Fund, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Joanne F. Aitken, E-mail: joannea{at}qcfepi.org.au


  Abstract

SUMMARY 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.

Keywords: community-based melanoma screening trial; process evaluation; volunteers.
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