title: Use of focus group methodology in the development of an Ontario farmers' sun safety survey.
abstract: Farmers are at higher risk for skin cancer; US studies indicate that they do not use adequate sun protection. Little data on Canadian farmers' sun exposure are available, and a literature review suggests a strong need to develop a comprehensive, easy to complete farmers' sun safety survey in order to identify sun safety issues in the farming community. A literature review contributed to the development of a draft farmers' sun safety survey. Preliminary testing of the survey with 207 Ontario farmers supported the usefulness of the questionnaire, but weaknesses remained in phrasing and missed concepts. To augment the questionnaire's development, focus groups were held with farmers in four Ontario communities to clarify the phrasing of survey questions concerning the amount of sun exposure, the use of sun protection practices, family/personal history of skin cancer, and skin cancer attitudes and knowledge. This paper reports on what was learned substantively from these focus groups.
authors.affiliation: University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Sabrina Yun
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ing
authors.forename: Fredrick D
authors.initials: FD
authors.lastname: Ashbury
authors.forename: Loraine D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Marrett
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: From
authors.forename: Kristina V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods*; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods*; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents