skin cancer preventive behaviors among rural farmers: an intervention based on protection motivation theory

background: skin cancer is a serious public health problem in the world. its prevalence in many countries has been increased in recent years. this study aimed to assess the effects of a theory-based educational intervention to promote skin cancer preventive behaviors (scpbs) among rural farmers in chalderan county, iran.   methods: this was a quasi-randomized controlled field trial study conducted on 238 rural farmers. the data were collected by a questionnaire containing the constructs of the protection motivation theory (pmt) as well as the items of scpbs. the differences between the groups before and 3 months after the intervention were determined by independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-square applying spss software.   results: before the intervention, no significant difference was found in the scores of the pmt constructs between the two groups (p>0.05). however, significant differences were found between the scores of all the variables, as well as scpbs, in the two groups after the intervention (p<0.05).   conclusion: the pmt was found to be an appropriate framework for designing educational interventions aiming at promoting scpbs among rural farmers. it was concluded that designing an educational program with a focus on promoting perceived susceptibility increased the level of performing scpbs among the rural farmers.