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Effect of Skin Cancer Awareness on Sun-Protective Practices among Outdoor Workers in Nigeria

Abstract

Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is an important occupational health concern for individuals who spend substantial periods working outdoors. Outdoor workers may experience repeated and prolonged exposure to sunlight, which can contribute to skin damage and increase the long-term risk of skin cancers and other UV-related health conditions. Sun-protective practices include the use of protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, sunscreen where appropriate, seeking shade, modifying work schedules to reduce peak sunlight exposure, and other measures that reduce direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Skin cancer awareness refers to knowledge and understanding of skin cancer risk factors, the harmful effects of excessive ultraviolet exposure, warning signs, prevention strategies, and the importance of seeking professional evaluation of suspicious skin changes. In Nigeria, outdoor workers such as construction workers, agricultural workers, traffic personnel, street vendors, security personnel, and other outdoor occupational groups may experience considerable occupational sun exposure. However, limited awareness, hot climatic conditions, cost of protective materials, work demands, discomfort associated with protective clothing, and limited access to occupational health information may affect the adoption of appropriate sun-protective practices. Increasing skin cancer awareness may improve workers' understanding of occupational UV exposure and encourage safer behaviours. Against this background, this study investigates the effect of skin cancer awareness on sun-protective practices among outdoor workers in Nigeria. The study is anchored on the Health Belief Model (HBM), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), and Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) framework. The Health Belief Model explains preventive health behaviour through perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and cues to action, providing a basis for understanding how awareness of skin cancer may influence workers' decisions to adopt sun-protective practices. Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes the interaction between knowledge, behavioural capabilities, personal beliefs, self-efficacy, social influences, and environmental conditions in shaping protective behaviours. The Knowledge-Attitude-Practice framework provides a basis for examining how improved awareness and attitudes toward UV exposure may translate into appropriate sun-protective practices. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a comprehensive framework for explaining how skin cancer awareness may influence sun-protective practices among outdoor workers in Nigeria. The study adopts a quantitative cross-sectional research design. Primary data will be collected from adult outdoor workers in selected occupational settings in Nigeria using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and, where feasible, a workplace observation checklist. A multistage sampling technique will be employed to select states, local government areas, occupational groups, workplaces, and eligible outdoor workers. Skin cancer awareness will be measured using knowledge of UV radiation, skin cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, occupational sun exposure, prevention strategies, and the importance of early professional assessment of suspicious skin changes. Sun-protective practices will be assessed using indicators such as use of protective clothing, hats or other head coverings, sunglasses, sunscreen where appropriate, seeking shade, avoidance or reduction of prolonged exposure during periods of intense sunlight where occupationally feasible, and other workplace sun-protection measures. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize workers' sociodemographic and occupational characteristics, levels of skin cancer awareness, and sun-protective practices. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis, will be employed to determine the effect of skin cancer awareness on sun-protective practices. Appropriate diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess multicollinearity, model specification, goodness of fit, and the robustness of the findings. The study anticipates that higher levels of skin cancer awareness will have a significant positive effect on sun-protective practices among outdoor workers in Nigeria. Workers with greater knowledge of the health risks associated with prolonged ultraviolet exposure are expected to demonstrate greater use of protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen where appropriate, shade, and other preventive measures. Increased awareness may also improve workers' recognition of suspicious skin changes and encourage timely professional evaluation. However, awareness alone may not guarantee consistent adoption of sun-protective practices because outdoor workers may face occupational and environmental barriers, including high temperatures, discomfort from protective clothing, cost of sunscreen and protective equipment, limited availability of shade, employer expectations, long working hours, and the nature of specific outdoor occupations. Consequently, skin cancer education is expected to be more effective when supported by workplace policies, provision of appropriate protective equipment, shaded rest areas, occupational health programmes, and employer commitment to reducing excessive occupational UV exposure. This study is expected to contribute to the literature on occupational health, skin cancer prevention, health education, environmental health, and public health in Nigeria by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between skin cancer awareness and sun-protective practices among outdoor workers. The findings will provide useful information for the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, state ministries of health, employers, occupational health practitioners, labour organizations, public health professionals, dermatology services, and policymakers regarding strategies for reducing occupational UV exposure. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for strengthening workplace skin cancer education, promoting appropriate sun-protective equipment, establishing workplace policies for occupational sun exposure, providing shaded rest areas, encouraging appropriate scheduling of outdoor work where feasible, and integrating skin cancer prevention into occupational health and safety programmes across Nigeria.

Keywords: Skin cancer awareness, sun-protective practices, outdoor workers, ultraviolet radiation, occupational sun exposure, occupational health, skin cancer prevention, health education, workplace safety, public health, Nigeria.