Assessment of Sun Safety Behavior among Farmers Attending a Regional Farm Show in North Carolina

ABSTRACT

Background: Due to the nature of working outdoors, many farmers experience high levels of exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) whereby, increasing their risk for skin cancer. The primary goal of this study was to evaluate personal behavior and perception on sun protection among farmers attending a regional farm show in North Carolina. Methods: Farmers (n = 397) were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire regarding behavior and importance of using personal sun protection (i.e., sunblock, etc.,) when working outdoors. Results: There were 285 (71.8%) male farmers and 79 (19.9%) female farmers with a mean age of 54 years. Overall, the majority of farmers recognized the importance of protecting themselves from the sun, however, actual personal behavior for using proper protection methods ranked low. Farmers with lighter, fairer skin tended to use more sun protection and ranked the importance of sun protection higher when compared to those with skin that was less likely to burn in the sun. Conclusion: The importance of personal sun protection should continue to be stressed to farmers at every available opportunity including farm shows, trainings and through health care providers.

Keywords:

• Sun safety
• farmers
• skin cancer
• North Carolina

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the farmers and farm families that participated in this study. The authors also thank Dr. Marc Schenker of UC Davis School of Medicine, University of California, and Dr. W. Scott Carpenter for the use of their surveys. The authors also thank Terri Wallace of Carolina Well, University of North Carolina Lineberger Cancer Survivorship Program, and Barbara Gallagher, RN, of AgriSafe of CommWell Health for their assistance. Funds for this project were provided by East Carolina University, Department of Public Health and the Division of Research and Graduate Studies.