The health beliefs and skin cancer prevention practices of Wisconsin dairy farmers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and describe health beliefs, level of knowledge about skin cancer, current skin cancer prevention practices, and cues to preventive action of Wisconsin dairy farmers.


METHODS
Descriptive survey.


METHODS
Rural Wisconsin.


METHODS
A stratified random sample of 535 male dairy farmers from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture mailing list; 202 farmers (38%) returned the survey.


METHODS
A survey instrument developed by the researcher was mailed to the farmers. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data.


METHODS
Susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, current practices, knowledge, and cues to preventive action in regard to skin cancer.


RESULTS
Farmers were knowledgeable about skin cancer and felt that they were susceptible, that it was a serious disease, and that protective actions were beneficial; however, they did not practice sun protection. "Too hot to wear" was the most frequent reason given for not wearing protective clothing, and "I forget to wear it" was the most common reason for not using sunscreen.


CONCLUSIONS
Barriers to the use of sunscreen may be the most amenable to intervention. The utility of the Health Belief Model with this population is questioned and may require additional research.


CONCLUSIONS
Farming-related magazines and newspapers can be used to provide health information. Skin cancer education should be provided at schools, work sites, outpatient clinics, hospitals, and community screening events to remind farmers to practice sun protection.
Marlenga
B
B
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, USA.
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D003612:Dairying; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects; D013473:Sunscreening Agents; D014922:Wisconsin
D013473:Sunscreening Agents