Pilot-Testing a Cancer Education Curriculum for Grades K-6
Marion Morra2001, Journal of School Health
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Abstract
Risk behaviors established during childhood including tobacco use, sunning, and eating habits contribute to most adult cancers. This project pilot-tested a developmentally appropriate cancer prevention curriculum for grades K-6, using a treatment group only design with pretesting and posttesting using a standardized, semistructured interview and involving 67 students (77% of eligible students) attending mixed grade classes. A seven-unit curriculum based on cognitive development, social cognitive. and social injuence theories was taught by classroom teachers. Students showed a significant (p<.0001) gain in conceptual understanding for rausality and prevention of cancer: the gain for causality of cancer was comparable to the baseline difference between kindergarten and the highest grade. Significant gains in factual knowledge and decreases in misconceptions about casual contact also were documented. A developmentally based elementary school cancer prevention curriculum can enhance young children's conceptual understanding and factual knowledge of common contributors to adult cancers. (J Sch Health. 2001 ;I1 (2):61-65)
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