Sun Protection in German Outdoor Workers: Differences by Sex and Job-Related Characteristics

Abstract

Background Ultraviolet (UV) exposure during outdoor work increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Therefore, the uptake of recommended sun protection behaviors is important to prevent UV-related skin damage in the population of outdoor workers. To develop targeted prevention campaigns, information on the use of sun protection behaviors in different industries is needed. Methods A total of 486 outdoor workers were surveyed on the use of several sun protection measures as part of the 7th wave of the National Cancer Aid Monitoring. Furthermore, details on job-related characteristics, sociodemographics, and skin type were assessed. Descriptive analyses stratified by sex were conducted. Results In general, use of sun protection was insufficient (e.g. 38.4% used sunscreen on the face). Sun protection behavior differed between female and male outdoor workers with females being more likely to use sunscreen and males being more likely to wear sun protective clothes and headgear. For male outdoor workers, we revealed several associations with job-related characteristics. For instance, those who were employed full time were more likely to wear sun protective clothes (e.g. shoulder-covering shirt: 87.1% versus 50.0%, P < 0.001). Discussion We identified deficits in sun protection behavior in outdoor workers and differences by sex- and job-related characteristics. These differences offer starting points for targeted prevention measures. In addition, the findings may inspire qualitative research.

Setting‐based skin cancer prevention at the workplace: A survey among German outdoor workers

“…To identify the subgroup of outdoor workers within the total sample, all participants were asked whether they were employed at the time of the interview (i.e., working as blue‐collar workers, white‐collar employees, or civil servants), and whether they worked outdoors for at least 2 h per day during the summer using the question “Do you work outdoors for at least 2 h a day in the summer?”. This definition of outdoor employment was chosen based on previous research 3,26 . Among the 4000 subjects surveyed, 319 individuals (7.9% of the total sample) were identified as outdoor workers based on our definition and were therefore included in the following analyses.…”

“…This definition of outdoor employment was chosen based on previous research. 3,26 Among the 4000 subjects surveyed, 319 individuals (7.9% of the total sample) were identified as outdoor workers based on our definition and were therefore included in the following analyses.…”

Berufskrankheit UV-induzierter Hautkrebs

“…Detaillierte Studien in spezifischen Gruppen von Außenbeschäftigten zeigten jedoch, dass das Bewusstsein für NMSC verbesserungswürdig ist, mehr Informationen über Hautkrebs gewünscht werden und der Sonnenschutz defizitär ist [24,25]. Auch bundesweite Daten zu Außenbeschäftigten zeigen Defizite im Sonnenschutzverhalten [8,14]. Hinsichtlich der Bildung fanden wir, dass Außenbeschäftigte mit höherer Bildung einen signifikant höheren Summenscore hatten als Außenbeschäftigte mit mittlerer Bildung.…”

“…Vorangegangene Studien zeigten, dass der Tätigkeitsbereich, die Branche und die Zeit, die täglich im Freien gearbeitet wird, eine Rolle für die Anwendung von Sonnenschutzmaßnahmen spielen [8]. Diese Charakteristika sollten -ebenso wie UV-bezogenes Freizeitverhaltendeshalb in zukünftigen Studien auch hinsichtlich ihrer Relevanz für das Wissen über NMSC bei Außenbeschäftigten überprüft werden.…”