Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40883220›Full record

ArticlePsycho-oncology2025

Sun-Safety Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour in Western Saudi Arabia: Implications for Psycho-Oncology Prevention Services.

Arwa F Flemban, Saeed M Kabrah, Asmaa A Alabbadi, Noor M Alharbi, Abdulaziz A Alotaibi, Ragad A Baghdadi, Maryam K Alhawsawi, Bakr M Alharbi, Halah T Albar, Samar N Ekram and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Psycho-oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Arwa F FlembanDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0001-8761-4280
Saeed M KabrahDepartment of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0003-2992-8497
Asmaa A AlabbadiFaculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Noor M AlharbiFaculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Abdulaziz A AlotaibiFaculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Ragad A BaghdadiFaculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Maryam K AlhawsawiFaculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Bakr M AlharbiFaculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Halah T AlbarDepartment of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0009-0009-0753-7453
Samar N EkramDepartment of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0002-2337-7172
Hanan M Abd ElmoneimDepartment of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0000-0003-1715-5060

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMelanoma, a highly aggressive skin cancer, is strongly linked to ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Despite high UV levels in Saudi Arabia, public awareness and adherence to melanoma preventive behaviours remain underexplored. This study assessed knowledge (factual accuracy), attitudes, and sun-protective practices among adults in the western region of Saudi Arabia, investigating demographic and gender-specific differences.

methodsA cross-sectional online survey was conducted from April to May 2024, recruiting 553 participants aged 18-80 years through convenience sampling. A validated 46-item questionnaire assessed melanoma knowledge, risk perception, sun exposure patterns, and adherence to preventive behaviours. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were used to analyse differences based on age, gender, education, employment, and healthcare affiliation.

resultsModerate awareness of melanoma was observed (mean = 2.28, 5-point Likert scale), with 73.2% of participants recognising sunlight as a risk factor for skin cancer. However, misconceptions were widespread, including beliefs that short-term sun exposure is harmless (36%) and that sunscreen is unnecessary on cloudy days (43.8%). Females and younger participants (18-35 years) demonstrated significantly higher knowledge (p < 0.001 and p = 0.036, respectively) and risk perception; however, adherence to sun-protective behaviours (e.g., sunscreen re-application, protective clothing) was suboptimal across all groups (mean = 2.67). Education level influenced awareness (p = 0.031), but did not impact behaviour.

conclusionDespite moderate awareness, significant knowledge gaps and a knowledge-action gap hinder melanoma prevention in this high-UV region. Culturally tailored interventions targeting misconceptions and behavioural barriers, particularly among males and individuals with lower educational attainment, are essential. These findings inform the development of evidence-based strategies to reduce melanoma risk in Saudi Arabia and similar high-UV settings.

Indexed as

Health BehaviorHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeMelanomaSkin NeoplasmsSunlightAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedSaudi ArabiaSunscreening AgentsSunscreening Agentshealth behaviourmelanomapublic healthSaudi Arabiaskin cancer preventionsun protectionUV radiation

Identifiers

PMID40883220
PMCPMC12396939

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.