Sun exposure and photoprotection habits among rural workers in the municipality of Guaraciaba

Resumo

Brazilians are frequently exposed to the effects of intense and prolonged sun exposure through recreational and occupational activities. Rural workers, who are exposed to the sun on a daily basis, are particularly at risk of developing skin cancer. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the sun exposure habits and photoprotection measures adopted by rural workers living in a small municipality in western Santa Catarina. This exploratory research administered questionnaires to rural workers between November 2022 and March 2023. Most participants (75%) were over 50 years old, with 79% having a low level of education and only having completed elementary school. Moreover, 96% have worked in the field for more than 10 years, and almost half of those interviewed (47%) are exposed to the sun for 4-8 hours a day. Additionally, several gaps were identified in terms of adopting photoprotection measures. The majority of interviewees (85%) reported using wide-brimmed hats as a protective measure, followed by wearing long clothing (60%) and using sunscreen (52%). It is worth noting that 49% of respondents do not reapply sunscreen, compromising its effectiveness. Based on the findings, this study highlights the potential risk of occupational skin cancer among this population and emphasizes the need to raise awareness about the risks of excessive sun exposure and the importance of individual protection measures.