Skin cancer risk perception and sun protection behavior at work, at leisure, and on sun holidays: a survey for Danish outdoor and indoor workers.
10.1186/s12199-018-0736-x
- Author:
Kasper GRANDAHL
1
;
Kristina Sophie IBLER
2
;
Gunnar Hellmund LAIER
3
;
Ole Steen MORTENSEN
4
Author Information
1. The Department of Occupational Medicine, Copenhagen University Holbaek, Gl. Ringstedvej 4B, 4300, Holbaek, Denmark. kagra@regionsjaelland.dk.
2. The Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde, Denmark.
3. PFI (Production, Research, Innovation) Region Zealand, Sorø, Denmark.
4. The Department of Occupational Medicine, Copenhagen University Holbaek, Gl. Ringstedvej 4B, 4300, Holbaek, Denmark.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Behavioral study;
Denmark;
ICNIRP;
OSC;
Preventive action;
Risk behavior;
Sunscreen use;
UV;
UV exposure;
Ultraviolet radiation;
Workplace
- MeSH:
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Denmark;
Female;
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Occupational Diseases;
prevention & control;
Occupational Exposure;
prevention & control;
statistics & numerical data;
Occupational Health;
statistics & numerical data;
Risk Reduction Behavior;
Skin Neoplasms;
prevention & control;
Sunburn;
prevention & control;
Surveys and Questionnaires;
Workplace;
classification;
psychology;
statistics & numerical data
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2018;23(1):47-47
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:To prevent occupational skin cancer, it is essential that the sun-protective behavior of outdoor workers is adequate. The aim is to study the sun-protective behavior of Danish outdoor workers at work, at leisure, and on sun holiday and compare it to that of indoor workers.
METHODS:This is a cross-sectional study, based on a 53-item survey completed by Danish outdoor (n = 380) and indoor workers (n = 119) in 2016-2017. Status as outdoor or indoor worker was decided based on self-report and behavioral differences were tested using (paired) t tests and multiple regression adjusted for age, sex, educational level, history of smoking, and skin type.
RESULTS:Danish outdoor workers at work use sun protection less than they do at leisure and on sun holiday (α < .05) where their sun protection behavior is similar to that of indoor workers. The proportion of Danish outdoor workers that always/often use sun protection at work is for shade seeking around noon 4.2%, sunscreen 34.5%, wide-brimmed hat 25.3%, and long trousers and shirt with sleeves 42.4%. Of Danish outdoor workers, 49.5% do not think about the risk of occupational skin cancer and 11.8% think the risk is insignificant, 32.4% think that the use of sun protection is of low or no importance, 84.2% consider sunburn important as skin cancer risk factor still 88.9% have a history of sunburn at work, > 80.0% agree that risk of skin cancer is reduced by the use of sun protection, and only 4.0% dismiss the possibility of sun protection use at work.
CONCLUSIONS:Skin cancer risk and use of sun protection at work are largely neglected in Danish outdoor workers, more so than at leisure and on sun holiday where their risk behavior resembles that of indoor workers. This indicates an untapped workplace preventive potential.
