Randomized trial testing a worksite sun protection program in an outdoor recreation industry

Health Educ Behav. 2005 Aug;32(4):514-35. doi: 10.1177/1090198105276211.

Abstract

Health communication campaigns intended to reduce chronic and severe exposure to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight and prevent skin cancer are a national priority. Outdoor workers represent an unaddressed, high-risk population. Go Sun Smart (GSS), a worksite sun safety program largely based on the diffusion-of-innovations theory, was evaluated in a pair-matched, group-randomized, pretest-posttest controlled design enrolling employees at 26 ski areas in Western North America. Employees at the intervention ski areas were more aware of GSS (odds ratio [OR] = 8.27, p < .05) and reported less sunburning (adjusted OR = 1.63, p < .05) at posttest than employees at the control areas. A dose response was evident (OR = 1.46, p < .05) with greater observed program implementation associated with fewer sunburns among employees. Program awareness per se was not predictive (p > .05) of reduced sunburning in a mediational analysis. Analyses of nonrespondents, including intent-to-treat analyses, further supported the success of GSS.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Female
  • Focus Groups
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Occupational Exposure / prevention & control*
  • Program Development
  • Protective Clothing / statistics & numerical data
  • Recreation*
  • Skiing*
  • Skin Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Sunburn / epidemiology
  • Sunburn / prevention & control*
  • Sunlight / adverse effects
  • Sunscreening Agents / administration & dosage
  • Ultraviolet Rays / adverse effects
  • United States

Substances

  • Sunscreening Agents