Sun Protection Use at Work and Leisure by Outdoor Workers in Alberta, Canada

Ela Rydz; Andrew Harper; Brandon Leong; Victoria H Arrandale; Sunil Kalia; Lindsay Forsman-Phillips; D Linn Holness; Thomas Tenkate; Cheryl E Peters

doi:10.1097/JOM.0000000000002133

Sun Protection Use at Work and Leisure by Outdoor Workers in Alberta, Canada

J Occup Environ Med. 2021 Mar 1;63(3):e138-e144. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002133.

Authors

Ela Rydz¹, Andrew Harper, Brandon Leong, Victoria H Arrandale, Sunil Kalia, Lindsay Forsman-Phillips, D Linn Holness, Thomas Tenkate, Cheryl E Peters

Affiliation

¹ CAREX Canada, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Ms Rydz, Ms Forsman-Phillips, Dr Peters); Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Cancer Control Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB, Canada (Mr Harper, Mr Leong, Dr Peters); Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada (Dr Arrandale, Dr Holness); Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health, Toronto, ON, Canada (Dr Arrandale); Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Dr Kalia); Photomedicine Institute and Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation, Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Dr Kalia); Departments of Cancer Control, BC Cancer, and Division of Dermatology, BC Children's Hospital, Provincial Health Services Authority, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Dr Kalia); Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada (Dr Holness); Department of Medicine and MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada (Dr Holness); School of Occupational and Public Health, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada (Dr Tenkate); Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Health Sciences Centre - Foothills Campus, Calgary, AB, Canada (Dr Peters).

PMID: 33395172
DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002133

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence and determinants of sun protection behaviours among outdoors workers at work and leisure in Alberta, Canada.

Methods: We collected outdoor workers' demographics, skin cancer risk factors, job information, and sun habits at work and leisure using self-completed questionnaires. For both settings, we compared use of specific behaviours and modelled determinants of sun protection behaviour scores.

Results: At work, wearing a sleeved shirt (81% often/always) and hat (73%) were most prevalent, while seeking shade (12%) and applying sunscreen (36%) were least prevalent. Workers had higher sun protection scores at work than leisure. Hours spent outdoors was a strong determinant for both models. Additional leisure model predictors were eye colour, sex, skin type, and job group.

Conclusions: Differences in behaviours across settings were observed and should be considered when developing solar UVR exposure reduction initiatives.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Alberta / epidemiology
Humans
Leisure Activities
Occupational Exposure* / analysis
Occupational Exposure* / prevention & control
Protective Clothing
Skin Neoplasms* / epidemiology
Skin Neoplasms* / prevention & control
Sunbathing*
Sunburn* / epidemiology
Sunburn* / prevention & control
Sunscreening Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

Sunscreening Agents