Abstract
BackgroundOccupational ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is a risk factor for skin cancer, and Hispanic individuals are over-represented in a number of outdoor occupations (e.g., farming, landscaping). This study examined predictors of occupational sunscreen use in a group of US Hispanic adults who work outdoors.ResultsA population-based sample of outdoor workers (n = 149, 85 % male) completed survey measures regarding their demographics, melanoma risk, perceived skin cancer risk, skin cancer knowledge, and their occupational sunscreen use. Sixty-nine percent of the sample reported never or rarely wearing sunscreen while working outdoors. Being female (p = .02), having a higher level of education (p = .03), and residing at a higher latitude (p = .04) were associated with more frequent sunscreen use.ConclusionsThis study highlights the importance of interventions to promote sun protection behaviors among US Hispanic outdoor workers, and identifies potential intervention targets.
Highlights
Occupational ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure is a risk factor for skin cancer, and Hispanic individu‐ als are over-represented in a number of outdoor occupations
Hispanic individuals in the United States (US) are an important population to target for skin cancer prevention efforts
Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is a risk factor for skin cancer [4, 5], and Hispanic individuals are over-represented in a number of outdoor occupations
Summary
Occupational sun protection Participants reported working, on average, between 1 and 65 h outdoors in the sun each week (M = 25.59 h, SD = 16.89). Half of the sample (42.9 %) reported never wearing sunscreen when working outside in the sun, 26.1 % reported doing so rarely, 12.0 % indicated they sometimes wear sunscreen, 6.9 % stated they often wear sunscreen, and 12.1 % of the sample reported that they always wear sunscreen when working outdoors. Univariable analyses indicated that individuals were more likely to report regular occupational sunscreen use if they were female, had some college education compared to less than high school education, and lived in an area further north of the equator. Occupational sunscreen use was not associated with age, acculturation, number of objective melanoma risk factors, perceived skin cancer risk, skin cancer knowledge, or average hours spent working outdoors. Female gender and college education remained significant in the multivariate analysis
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