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

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.

[1]  M. Wittlich,et al.  UVR Exposure and Prevention of Street Construction Workers in Colombia and Germany , 2022, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[2]  Shawna V. Hudson,et al.  Sunburns and Sun Protection Behaviors among Male Hispanic Outdoor Day Laborers , 2022, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[3]  Nikitha Kramadhari,et al.  Sun safety knowledge, practices and attitudes in rural Australian farmers: a cross-sectional study in Western New South Wales , 2021, BMC Public Health.

[4]  Nicholas F. Logemann,et al.  Sun Exposure Prevention Practices Within U.S. Naval Aviation. , 2021, Military medicine.

[5]  V. Arrandale,et al.  Sun Protection Use at Work and Leisure by Outdoor Workers in Alberta, Canada. , 2020, Journal of occupational and environmental medicine.

[6]  M. Ege,et al.  Skin cancer risk and shade: comparing the risk of foresters with other outdoor workers , 2020, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV.

[7]  T. Loney,et al.  Sun protection habits and behaviors of a group of outdoor workers and students from the agricultural and construction sectors in north-Italy , 2020, La Medicina del lavoro.

[8]  D. Whiteman,et al.  Global evidence on occupational sun exposure and keratinocyte cancers: a systematic review , 2020, The British journal of dermatology.

[9]  C. Garbe,et al.  Epidemiology of Skin Cancer: Update 2019. , 2020, Advances in experimental medicine and biology.

[10]  R. Greinert,et al.  Trends in Tanning Bed Use, Motivation, and Risk Awareness in Germany: Findings from Four Waves of the National Cancer Aid Monitoring (NCAM) , 2019, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[11]  T. Wren,et al.  A characterization of sun protection attitudes and behaviors among children and adolescents in the United States , 2019, Preventive medicine reports.

[12]  E. Bitzer,et al.  Outdoor workers’ perceptions of skin cancer risk and attitudes to sun‐protective measures: A qualitative study , 2019, Journal of occupational health.

[13]  E. Rehfuess,et al.  ‘Try to make good hay in the shade – it won't work!’ A qualitative interview study on the perspectives of Bavarian farmers regarding primary prevention of skin cancer , 2019, The British journal of dermatology.

[14]  R. Brodell,et al.  Sun Protection Behaviors of State Park Workers in the Southeastern USA. , 2019, Annals of work exposures and health.

[15]  F. Rivas-Ruíz,et al.  Preventing Skin Cancer Among Staff and Guests at Seaside Hotels , 2019, Journal of Cancer Education.

[16]  R. Greinert,et al.  Occupational UV Exposure and Sun-Protective Behaviour in German Outdoor Workers: Results of a Nationwide Study , 2018, Journal of occupational and environmental medicine.

[17]  T. Driscoll,et al.  Prevalence of exposure to occupational carcinogens among farmers. , 2018, Rural and remote health.

[18]  M. Augustin,et al.  Epidemiology of skin cancer in the German population: impact of socioeconomic and geographic factors , 2018, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV.

[19]  R. Greinert,et al.  Prevalence of sun‐protective behaviour and intentional sun tanning in German adolescents and adults: results of a nationwide telephone survey , 2018, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV.

[20]  M. Riccò,et al.  Knowledge, attitudes, and sun-safety practices among agricultural workers in the Autonomous Province of Trento, North-Eastern Italy (2016). , 2020, Giornale italiano di dermatologia e venereologia : organo ufficiale, Societa italiana di dermatologia e sifilografia.

[21]  T. Lotti,et al.  Psychosocial aspects associated with use of sunscreen, natural sunlight exposure, and artificial tanning , 2018, Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift.

[22]  A. Milon,et al.  Determinants of Sunburn and Sun Protection of Agricultural Workers During Occupational and Recreational Activities , 2017, Journal of occupational and environmental medicine.

[23]  T. Biedermann,et al.  Satisfaction of mountain guides with high sun protection as a tool to prevent non‐melanoma skin cancer , 2017, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV.

[24]  M. C. Da Silva,et al.  Prevalence and factors associated with exposure to sunlight and sunscreen among physical education teachers in Pelotas, southern Brazil* , 2017, Anais brasileiros de dermatologia.

[25]  R. Greinert,et al.  German “National Cancer Aid Monitoring” 2015–2019 – study protocol and initial results , 2017, Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG.

[26]  T. Biedermann,et al.  Do outdoor workers know their risk of NMSC? Perceptions, beliefs and preventive behaviour among farmers, roofers and gardeners , 2017, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV.

[27]  M. D. C. C. Martins,et al.  Prevalence of photoprotection and its associated factors in risk group for skin cancer in Teresina, Piauí* , 2017, Anais brasileiros de dermatologia.

[28]  T. Biedermann,et al.  Nonmelanoma skin cancer in mountain guides: high prevalence and lack of awareness warrant development of evidence-based prevention tools. , 2016, Swiss medical weekly.

[29]  S. Beissert,et al.  Knowledge of outdoor workers on the effects of natural UV radiation and methods of protection against exposure , 2016, Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV.

[30]  J. Houdmont,et al.  Sun safety in construction: a U.K. intervention study. , 2016, Occupational medicine.

[31]  O. Michel.  BK 5103 „Hautkrebs durch UV-Licht“ als neue Berufskrankheit , 2015, HNO.

[32]  P. Elsner,et al.  [UV-irradiation-induced skin cancer as a new occupational disease]. , 2015, Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete.

[33]  J. Schmitt,et al.  Arbeitsbedingte UV-Exposition und Malignome der Haut. Überlegungen zu einer neuen Berufskrankheit: UV-induzierter Hautkrebs , 2012 .

[34]  Kurt Straif,et al.  A review of human carcinogens--part D: radiation. , 2009, The Lancet. Oncology.

[35]  H. Neuhauser,et al.  Mindestindikatorensatz zur Erfassung des Migrationsstatus , 2006, Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz.

[36]  B. Armstrong,et al.  The epidemiology of UV induced skin cancer. , 2001, Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology.

[37]  M. Jeanmougin.  SOLEIL ET PEAU , 1992 .

[38]  S. Frankel,et al.  Non-melanoma Skin Cancer , 2021, Surgical Oncology Manual.