Are workers or their workplaces the key to occupational sun protection?
OBJECTIVE
High levels of sun exposure and skin cancer are experienced by outdoor workers. To develop effective preventive strategies it is important to understand which factors predict sun protection use.


METHODS
Outdoor workers (n=74) in Central Otago, New Zealand, completed a questionnaire and recorded sun protection practices for five consecutive working days, January-March 2007.


RESULTS
Sun protection was predicted by beliefs of personal susceptibility to skin cancer, suntan attitudes, and perceived workplace support, but not knowledge.


CONCLUSIONS
Both individual and workplace factors influence outdoor workers' sun protection.
Hammond
Vanessa
V
Cancer Society of NZ Social and Behavioural Research Unit, Department of Preventative and Social Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand. vanessa.hammond@otago.ac.nz
Reeder
Anthony I
AI
Gray
Andrew R
AR
Bell
Melanie L
ML
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017132:Workplace / Q000592:standards
D013473:Sunscreening Agents