Outdoor Workers' Use of Sun Protection at Work and Leisure

Abstract

BackgroundOutdoor workers are at risk of high ultraviolet radiation exposure, and may have difficulty using sun protection. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of sun protection behaviors in a sample of outdoor construction workers, and to assess which factors predict better sun protection practices.MethodsParticipants were recruited via construction unions. Workers answered a questionnaire on demographics, skin cancer risk, sun protection behaviors, and job. Sun protection behavior scores (from questions on sunscreen use, sleeved shirt, hat, shade seeking, sunglasses) were calculated by converting Likert-scale answers to scores from 0 to 4, and taking the mean (separately for work and leisure). Determinants of sun protection behavior scores were examined for work and leisure using generalized linear models.ResultsSeventy-seven workers had complete questionnaire data (participation 98%). Sun protection behaviors used most often were hats (79% often/always) and sleeved shirts (82% often/always); least prevalent were shade-seeking (8% often/always) and sunscreen (29% often/always). For both work and leisure scores, the strongest predictor was skin type, with fairer-skinned individuals having higher sun protection behavior scores. Workers had higher scores at work than on weekends. Workplaces that required hats and sleeved shirts for safety purposes had higher protection behavior scores.ConclusionThis high-participation rate cohort helps characterize sun protection behaviors among outdoor workers. Workers practiced better sun protection at work than on weekends, suggesting that workplace policies supportive of sun protection could be useful for skin cancer prevention in the construction industry.

Vitamin D status in Thai dermatologists and working‐age Thai population

“…One important contributing factor is a cultural preference for tanned skin color in Caucasians while Asians prefer a fair complexion. 42,43 This is in contrast to the more intensive sun-protective behavior practiced by people with higher skin type living in tropical areas such as Thailand, where the prevalence of skin cancer is much lower. 38,39 There have been many major campaigns for sun protection in those countries, albeit with limited success, especially in the younger population.…”

Primary prevention of keratinocyte carcinoma among outdoor workers, the general population and medical professionals: a systematic review updated for 2019

“…2). 9,16,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72] About one-third of mountain guides from Germany used sunscreen with a SPF < 30, 37,63 and only a small share of German outdoor workers checked the SPF of sunscreen before applying it. 9 Twenty-eight per cent to 86% of different medical professionals applied sunscreen during sun exposure.…”

“…29,59,61,62 Seeking shade during work varied between 4 and 85% among outdoor workers from several occupational groups. 9,38,40,41,43,64,66,72 Seventy-six per cent of German outdoor workers stayed in the shade during breaks 9 and 31% of agricultural workers from Italy avoided sun exposure at midday and took breaks in shaded areas. 41 Among medical professionals, approximately 45-70% stated not going outside between 10 am and 4 pm, and 60-94% mentioned seeking shade when going outside on sunny days.…”

“…36,38,40,43,66,67,69,71,72,76 About 9-86% wore long-sleeved shirts and 44-98% long trousers. 9,16,37,41,42,44,64,66,68 Forty-nine per cent to 62% of medical professionals wore light-coloured clothing 49,50,52 and fewer than 50% wore longsleeved clothes to protect from UVR. 48,50,51,53,55,73 Primary keratinocyte carcinoma prevention Primary keratinocyte carcinoma prevention Primary keratinocyte carcinoma prevention Sunglasses Percentages of the general population who wore sunglasses while being outside in summer varied between 2% and 83%.…”

“…3). 9,36,38,[41][42][43]47,64,[66][67][68]71,72 Approximately three-quarters of several medical professionals wore sunglasses on sunny days, 49,50,53,73 whereas this number was low for nursing students from Turkey 55 and medical students from China. 48…”