A graded work site intervention program to improve sun protection and skincancer awareness in outdoor workers in Israel

Objectives: A graded worksite intervention program to improve sun protectio n and skin cancer awareness of outdoor workers was implemented and evaluate d longitudinally over a period of 20 months. Methods: Outdoor male workers (144/213 recruits) from geographically separa ted units of the Israel National Water Company were allocated to complete ( n = 37), partial (n = 72) or minimal (n = 35) intervention groups. Subseque nt to the assignment and training of local safety officers, an educational and medical screening package was provided to the corresponding groups eith er once, or repeatedly a year later. Personal sun protective gear was provi ded upon repeated intervention. Outcome measures were evaluated through sel f-response questionnaires administered prior to the first intervention puls e, and 8 months after the first and second interventions. Results: A 15-61% improvement in sun-protection habits was noted in the ent ire study population 8 months after initialization, compared to no sunscree n use, 20% sun-exposed skin area and highest mean occupational exposure dos e of 1.68 MED/day at pre-test. An even greater use of sunscreen was evident 1 year later in the complete and partial intervention groups, +80% and +52 %, respectively. The baseline rate of self-examination of the skin in the s ame two groups (49%) increased significantly at post-test (+71% and +53%, r espectively). Conclusions: This integrated intervention program led to significantly impr oved sun protection and skin cancer awareness. Repeated intervention combin ed with the supply of sun-protective gear contributed to an even greater im pact.