title: Skin Protection Behaviors among Young Male Latino Day Laborers: An Exploratory Study Using a Social Cognitive Approach.
abstract: Latino Day Laborers (LDLs) are employed in occupations where multiple work hazards exist. One such hazard is the overexposure to solar ultraviolet radiation for continuous periods of time. Regular sun exposure can put individuals at increased risk of developing skin cancers, especially without adequate protection. The purpose of this cross-sectional exploratory study was to use a social cognitive framework to assess skin protective behaviors among LDLs. A community-based nonrandom and purposive sample of LDLs was recruited in two states: Mississippi and Illinois. The study sample consisted of 137 male participants, of which the majority were of Mexican ancestry (72%). The average age was 35.40 (SD = 9.89) years. Results demonstrated that a substantial number of LDLs do not adequately practice sun protection behaviors on a regular basis. The skin cancer knowledge scores were very modest. The most frequently indicated barriers towards sun protection were "inconvenient," "forget to use," and "not being able to reapply sunscreen." Overall, LDLs had moderate confidence in their abilities to adopt successful sun protection strategies. This study underscores the need for intervention programs aimed at LDLs to reduce extended time in the sun and increase use of sun protective measures when working outdoors.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, University of Alabama, Box 870314, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487, USA.
authors.forename: Javier F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Boyas
authors.affiliation: Department of Health, Exercise Science & Recreation Management, University of Mississippi, 215 Turner Center, P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.
authors.forename: Vinayak K
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6771-1662
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Nahar
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 N. State Street, Jackson, MS 39216, USA; Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.
authors.forename: Robert T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Brodell