Melanoma prevention in children: knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of pediatricians in Italy.

INTRODUCTION The aims of this study were to assess the levels of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of pediatricians about melanoma and to estimate any variables associated with this outcome of interest. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of pediatricians using a questionnaire sent by postal mail. RESULTS 40.8% and 41.6% of pediatricians respectively stated that they "often" and "always" carried out a full skin examination during routine checkups of children. Only 14.1% and 21.1% "always" informed parents about risk factors for melanoma and about preventive interventions respectively. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis have revealed that older pediatricians, those who believed the role of pediatricians in the prevention of melanoma is very important, those who considered a skin examination during routine visits to be very important and those who acquired information about melanoma were more likely to "always" perform a full skin examination of children and inform parents about preventive interventions for melanoma. CONCLUSIONS The findings indicate that pediatricians need to be more careful regarding malignant melanoma prevention in order to play a crucial role in the educational instruction of parents and the dissemination of the most effective intervention screenings.