Abstract
The objective of the study was to describe summer work-related sun behaviours among Canadian outdoor workers. Information on time in the sun and sun protection practices at work during the summer of 2006 were collected from 1,337 outdoor workers aged 16–64 years as part of the Second National Sun Survey. Proportions (and 95% confidence intervals) were estimated using procedures appropriate for complex survey designs. Twenty-six percent of all Canadians, 39% of males and 33% of those aged 16–24 years work outdoors during the summer. Although 41% spend four or more hours daily in the sun at work, just over half always or often protect themselves by covering their heads (58%), wearing protective clothing (56%) or wearing sunglasses (54%), and only 29% use sunscreen. Males and those aged 16–24 spend the most work time in the sun but are the least likely to use protection. The prevalence of outdoor work and sun behaviours varies among regions. Study findings confirm the need for strategies to reduce time in the sun and increase the use of sun protection among outdoor workers. In order to be effective, these strategies must include both enhanced workplace policies and practice, and increased individual use of sun protection.
Résumé
Notre étude vise à décrire les comportements au soleil liés au travail, en été, chez les travailleurs extérieurs canadiens. Nous avons recueilli des informations sur le temps passé au soleil et l’utilisation d’une protection solaire au travail durant l’été 2006 auprès de 1 337 travailleurs extérieurs âgés de 16 à 64 ans dans le cadre de la Deuxième Enquête nationale sur l’exposition au soleil. Les proportions (et les intervalles de confiance de 95 %) ont été estimées par des méthodes convenant aux enquêtes complexes. Vingt-six p. cent des Canadiens, 39 % des hommes et 33 % des personnes de 16 à 24 ans travaillent dehors l’été. Bien que 41 % passent quatre heures ou plus par jour au soleil au travail, un peu plus de la moitié seulement se protègent toujours ou souvent en se couvrant la tête (58 %), en portant des vêtements de protection (56 %) ou des lunettes de soleil (54 %), et à peine 29 % appliquent un écran solaire. Les hommes et les personnes de 16 à 24 ans passent le plus d’heures de travail au soleil, mais sont les moins susceptibles de se protéger. La prévalence du travail à l’extérieur et des comportements au soleil varie d’une région à l’autre. Les résultats de cette étude confirment le besoin de stratégies pour réduire le temps passé au soleil et pour augmenter l’utilisation d’une protection solaire par les travailleurs extérieurs. Pour être efficaces, ces stratégies doivent améliorer à la fois les politiques et les pratiques en milieu de travail et l’utilisation individuelle des mesures de protection solaire.
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Acknowledgements: The Second National Sun Survey was supported primarily by funds from the Canadian Cancer Society with supplemental funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, Cancer Care Ontario and Alberta Health Services. It was conducted under the auspices of the National Skin Cancer Prevention Committee, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.
Conflict of Interest: None to declare.
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Marrett, L.D., Pichora, E.C. & Costa, M.L. Work-time Sun Behaviours Among Canadian Outdoor Workers: Results From the 2006 National Sun Survey. Can J Public Health 101, I19–I22 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405306
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03405306