AUTHOR=Gay Chloé , Deyra Maéliane , Berland Pauline , Gerbaud Laurent , Pizon Frank 

TITLE=Girl–boy differences in perceptions of health determinants and cancer: a more systemic view of girls as young as 6 years

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 11 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1296949

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1296949

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Model and analyze the differences between girls' and boys' conceptions of the determinants of health and cancer, as expressed and perceived by children and adolescents.Method: Multicentric qualitative study was conducted in 5 schools (6 -11 years), 4 middle schools (11 -15 years), and 3 high schools (15 -18 years). A multi-phase protocol (phase 1 uses the e.Photoexpression© and phase 2 uses the Photonarration) enables children and teenagers to express themselves through photography and storytelling.Results: 4174 qualitative productions were produced by 1068 children, 47% girls and 53% boys, aged 6 to 18. The results show that children mention and are aware of 30 determinants of health and cancer. The 3 determinants most mentioned were "Consumption of psychotropic drugs", "Diet" and "Harmful environment". Among these 30 determinants, some are mentioned to a greater or lesser extent by girls and boys. These significant gender differences are present for 20 determinants of health and cancer.These differences evolve with age:-In elementary school (ages 6 to 11), girls give significantly more importance (p<0.05) to 11 determinants. Boys attach significantly more importance (p<0.05) to 2 determinants.-In middle school (ages 11 to 16), girls gave significantly (p<0.05) more importance to 12 determinants. Boys gave significantly (p<0.05) more importance to 1 determinant.-In high school (15 to 18 years), girls gave significantly (p<0.05) more importance to 13 determinants. There was no significant difference (p<0.05) in favor of boys for high school students.Girls also have a more systemic view of health determinants than boys. The increase in the number of determinants cited by girls is significant (p = 0.017) between the ages of 6-11 and 15-18. This gap widens with age (+1.45 determinants) for girls and (+0.68 determinants) for boys between elementary school and high school.The determinants identified as predominantly female or male, as well as age-related specificities, constitute a resource for effective preventive action, as close as possible to the needs and particularities of a population. This mapping of people conceptions could provide a decision-making aid in defining the strategic orientations of prevention policies.