Knowledge, attitudes, and sun-safety practices among agricultural workers in the Autonomous Province of Trento, North-Eastern Italy (2016)

Postal delivery workers have substantial sun exposure. In the United Kingdom (UK) a high proportion of workers possesses a sun sensitive skin type. This population is at elevated risk for skin cancer, yet uptake of sun safety practices is low. Studies are needed to identify the underlying factors that contribute to the uptake of occupational sun safety practices that may be targeted during behavior change interventions. This study integrated the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Transtheoretical Model’s stages of change (SoC) as guiding frameworks to identify underlying beliefs that influence UK postal delivery workers’ uptake of occupational sun safety practices. Thirty-four workers participated in semi-structured interviews that used the SoC to establish current receptiveness to and adoption of two sun safety practices (using sunscreen of at least sun protection factor (SPF) 30 on exposed skin and wearing a wide-brimmed hat when working outdoors in the summer). Beliefs underlying current practices were elicited in accordance with the TPB and stratified by the SoC. For sunscreen use and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, 64% and 3% of participants were in the action or maintenance SoC, respectively. Behavioral and control beliefs differed by SoC, with those in the earlier stages more likely than those in the latter stages to report negative attitudes to, and difficulty enacting, sun safety practices. Normative beliefs concerning the views of colleagues and employers towards sunscreen were relatively consistent across the SoC. This study highlights the need for tailored and targeted behavior change interventions. The SoC-stratified accounts of the influence of TPB components on behavior provide a basis for bespoke interventions that reflect inter-individual and inter-practice differences in their working mechanisms.

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A survey-based comparison of sun safety practices in a representative cohort of the general public versus attendees of skin cancer screenings

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ◽

10.1016/j.jaad.2019.06.088 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 81 (4) ◽

pp. AB13

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

General Public ◽

Sun Safety ◽

Safety Practices ◽

Cancer Screenings ◽

Representative Cohort

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Barriers to Sun Safety in a Canadian Outpatient Population

Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ◽

10.1007/s10227-003-0126-9 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 292-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Andrea K. Boggild ◽

Lynn From

Keyword(s):

Safety Information ◽

Care Facility ◽

Target Population ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

General Level ◽

Great Likelihood ◽

Safety Measures ◽

Sun Safety ◽

Safety Practices ◽

Awareness Campaigns

Background: It has long been recognized that compliance with recommended sun safety practices is suboptimal, yet few investigations have explored the barriers that people face in practicing good sun safety. In this context, barriers can exist at the following three levels: Knowledge of sun safety, acquisition of sun safety information, and implementation of specific sun protective measures. Objective: The investigation reported herein sought to elucidate barriers to sun safety that individuals face. Ultimately, this study aimed to qualify the possible barriers that lead to a misalignment of current recommendations and sun safety practices. Methods: The study design was observational, and the instrument used for data collection was a self-administered questionnaire. Thirty-four outpatients of the RK Schachter Dermatology Centre of Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre (SWCHSC), Toronto, Ontario, as well as 27 outpatients of the Sport Care facility of SWCHSC were enrolled in the study. They represent the target population of those who are at greater risk of developing sun-related skin lesions. Data were analyzed using standard parametric and nonparametric techniques. Comparisons were made between the two outpatient groups and between other groups within the sample. Results: In general, level of sun safety knowledge was fairly high, though compliance to sun safety measures was suboptimal in both populations. There were no significant differences regarding level of knowledge between the 2 outpatient groups. Deficiencies in knowledge centered around risk factors for skin cancer. Frequently cited barriers to sun safety include inconvenience (34% of respondents), forgetting to use sun safety measures (49%), a desire to be tanned (33%), and protective clothing being too hot to wear (56%). High compliers were notable for their great likelihood of being counseled by a physician about sun safety ( P < 0.025) and their slightly higher mean knowledge scores. Conclusions: These data support that knowledge alone does not predict compliance and that sun awareness campaigns should be evaluated based on their ability to affect behavior.

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Training cosmetology students in Arkansas to help dermatologists find skin cancers earlier: results of a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/pubmed/fdaa109 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lori Fischbach ◽

Mohammed F Faramawi ◽

Deborah Girard ◽

Susan Thapa ◽

Robin Travers

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Educational Video ◽

Sun Safety ◽

Safety Practices ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Cluster Randomized

Abstract Background We tested an educational video in cosmetology schools to increase students’ knowledge about skin cancer, sun-safety practices, identifying suspicious lesions and recommending clients consult a dermatologist when a suspicious lesion is observed. Methods We used a cluster-randomized controlled study design to randomize 22 cosmetology schools to receive our educational video or a publicly accessible healthy lifestyle video (control). Results Students who received the intervention were more likely than controls to increase their knowledge of skin cancer, risk factors and how to identify potential skin cancers (risk ratio [RR] and 95% confidence interval = 2.86 [1.58–5.20]). At follow-up, students in the intervention group were more likely than those in the control group to look for suspicious moles on their clients’ faces, scalps and necks (RRs = 1.75, 2.16 and 2.90, respectively). Additionally, students in the intervention group were more likely to communicate with clients about sun-safety practices (RR = 1.74 [1.11–2.73]) and consulting a dermatologist about suspicious moles (RR = 1.57 [1.03–2.41]). Conclusions Our educational video helped cosmetology students recognize potential skin cancers and talk with clients about sun safety and consulting a dermatologist about suspicious moles. Such videos may play a role in the public health surveillance of skin cancers in communities.

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Sun Safety Practices Among Schools in the United States

JAMA Dermatology ◽

10.1001/jamadermatol.2016.6274 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 153 (5) ◽

pp. 391 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Sherry Everett Jones ◽

Gery P. Guy

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

The United States ◽

Sun Safety ◽

Safety Practices

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Education of children, their parents and staff on sun safety practices in the Australian early childhood education setting

Australasian Journal of Dermatology ◽

10.1111/ajd.13219 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 160-161 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Vangelis George Kanellis ◽

Alice Louise Kanellis ◽

Lena Von Schuckmann ◽

Andrew Miller

Keyword(s):

Early Childhood ◽

Early Childhood Education ◽

Sun Safety ◽

Safety Practices ◽

Childhood Education

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Heat-related illnesses among Agricultural Workers in North-Eastern Italy (2017)

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckx187.091 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

M Riccò ◽

L Vezzosi ◽

A Odone ◽

C Signorelli

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Workers ◽

North Eastern

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Sun safety knowledge, practices and attitudes in rural Australian farmers: a cross-sectional study in Western New South Wales

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10777-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Charmaine D’Souza ◽

Nikitha Kramadhari ◽

Elizabeth Skalkos ◽

Tegan Dutton ◽

Jannine Bailey

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Perceived Barriers ◽

Survey Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sun Safety ◽

Study Region ◽

Safety Practices ◽

South Wales

Abstract Background Rates of skin cancer in Australia are amongst the highest in the world, with Western New South Wales (NSW) exhibiting very high prevalence. There is a large proportion of outdoor workers, including farmers, in Western NSW who have high levels of sun exposure and hence are at greater risk of developing skin cancer. Aims To characterise the current sun safety practices of farmers in Western NSW and explore their knowledge, attitudes and perceived barriers towards sun safety and its implementation. Methods A cross-sectional survey study was conducted using a self-directed questionnaire. Participants were recruited at field days held in Western NSW and through surveys distributed at general practices, local stores and online. Eligibility criteria were aged 18 years and over and currently working on a farm in the study region. Results Of the 144 participants, 89 (61.8%) were male with a mean age of 49 years. Knowledge of sun safety was relatively high with most questions answered correctly by greater than 80% of participants. Risk of developing skin cancer was underestimated in 58 (40.3%) participants. Of all participants, 89 (62.2%) identified one or more barriers to practicing sun safety. The most common barrier was forgetfulness in 62 (43.4%) participants. The identification of barriers was significantly associated with reduced engagement of sun safety practices (p = 0.009). Conclusions Knowledge of sun safety among farmers was high. There was, however, underestimation of risk of developing skin cancer. Addressing perceived barriers to implementing sun safety could improve sun safety practices in this cohort.

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