Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and Sun Protection Behaviors and Knowledge Among a High‐Risk and Overlooked Group of Outdoor Workers in South Africa

Abstract

The exposure of outdoor car guards to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), the majority with deeply pigmented skin, to solar UVR was measured for five consecutive days during early spring (September 2017) in South Africa using electronic UVR dosimeters attached to the upper arm of each participant. The exposure of the nape of the neck, forehead, nose, cheek and hand was extrapolated from the measurements. The onsite ambient solar UVR on a flat, horizontal, unshaded surface was measured concurrently. The sun-related knowledge, behavior and attitudes of the car guards were evaluated using questionnaires. Total personal daily solar UVR exposure as a percentage of the ambient solar UVR exposure was 24%. The exposure of car guards on several body sites was in excess of the occupational threshold limit value. Sleeved shirts and hats were the most commonly used sun protection measures (worn by 70% and 80%, respectively). Considering the high levels of solar UVR reported on most days throughout the year in South Africa, more studies quantifying the personal exposure of outdoor workers in both the informal and formal sectors are necessary.

Evaluation of Personal Solar UV Exposure in a Group of Italian Dockworkers and Fishermen, and Assessment of Changes in Sun Protection Behaviours After a Sun-Safety Training

“…As regards to the results of the investigation on solar UVR individual exposure habits and behaviours before and after a specific sun-safety training, first of all it should be noted that, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reporting of a sun safety initiative specifically addressing fishermen. As reported also by similar studies performed in other groups of outdoor workers [16][17][18][19][20], our results indicate poor protective habits and behaviors of fishermen, in particular before the sun-safety training. After our intervention, we observed a slight improvement related to the adoption of three specific individual protections: the UV protective hats, sunglasses and clothes, with an increased percentage of fishermen who reported to use, at least sometimes, these protections at work.…”

“…According to these considerations, it is certainly of interest a detailed assessment of solar UVR exposure of these groups of workers. Furthermore, the extant scientific literature shows a relevant under-estimation of the risk by outdoor workers, with indications of poor protective habits and behaviors with respect to a relevant occupational risk, which is solar UVR exposure [16][17][18][19][20][21][22].There is also a growing evidence that sun-safety interventions are effective in increasing outdoor workers' sun-protection habits [21]; nevertheless, there is still a scarcity of these interventions focused on outdoor workers, and in particular on those of the maritime and port sectors.…”

The Epidemiology of Skin Cancer and Public Health Strategies for Its Prevention in Southern Africa

“…Hats or helmets with flaps and sunglasses should also be part of the occupational PPE. Patterns of sun exposure in outdoors workers have been assessed in limited studies in South Africa [70,71] while numerous studies around the world have considered patterns of sun exposure and risk of adverse health effects [72][73][74].…”

Who Are the Nonusers of Sunscreen, and What Are Their Reasons? Development of a New Item Set

“…Benvenuto-Andrade et al [8] found impatience in applying sunscreen as a major obstacle for rare applications. Studies from other countries showed lack of time and forgetfulness as reasons for not using sunscreen [20,32,33]. Studies from Australia found greasiness and the need to reapply sunscreen products [21], as well as shiny looking and undesirable smell of sunscreen [22], as barriers to the use of sunscreen.…”