Efectos de una intervención educativa en la promoción de la actividad física, otros comportamientos saludables y los conocimientos para la prevención del cáncer de pulmón en jóvenes del colegio La Merced en Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer is the deadliest type of cancer worldwide, accounting one out of five deaths annually. This study aimed at determining the effects of an educational intervention in promoting healthy lifestyles and raising awareness on lung cancer prevention in young scholars from Bogota, Colombia. Methods: Uncontrolled trial in 243 female students (age 14 ± 1.5 years). The educational intervention comprised three stages: a one-hour educational session according to the guide to educational communication in the context of cancer control in Colombia; three e-mails were sent with information about lung cancer prevention through healthy lifestyles, and finally the scholars developed group activities. For data collection purposes, we used the Cancer Awareness questionnaire Measure (CAM) and the Surveillance System Behavioral Risk Factors (BRFSS). The intervention was evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months post-intervention. Results: The educational intervention raised scholar’s awareness about the warning signs of lung cancer and major modifiable factors such as cigarette smoking risk, exposure to tobacco smoke and a sedentary lifestyle, even at sixth month post-intervention. Regarding behavior change, effects on physical activity, cigarette smoking, and fruits and vegetables intake did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: An educational intervention raises awareness on lung cancer early detection and prevention, and improves healthy lifestyles in young scholars from Bogotá, Colombia. Further randomized controlled studies are warranted.