Health Promotion International, Vol. 15, No. 4, 333-339,
December 2000
© Oxford University Press 2000
The role of health education versus safety regulations in generating skin cancer preventive behavior among outdoor workers in Israel: an exploratory photosurvey
Esther Shani1,
Eva Rachkovsky2,
Ariel Bahar-Fuchs1 and
Lior Rosenberg1,3
1 The Center for Research and Development of Advanced Services in Plastic Surgery, The Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel,
2 The School of Medicine of the University of Connecticut Health Center, Department of Community Medicine and Healthcare, USA and
3 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel
Address for correspondence:
Esther Shani Plastic Surgery Soroka Medical Center Beer-Sheva Israel e-mail: eshani{at}bgumail.bgu.ac.il
 |
SUMMARY
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The present photosurvey corroborated with our 19951997
evaluation study of a multifaceted skin cancer control program
among outdoor workers of MekorotIsrael National Water
Company (Shani
et al., 1998

, Final Research Report presented
to the Committee for Research and Prevention in Occupational
Safety and Health). While the survey's primary purpose was to
investigate the impact of health education versus sun-protection
regulations (issued when the project ended) on workers' skin
cancer preventive behavior (SCPB), it also experimented with
objective tools of data collection. Visiting working
sites and mother-base, 118 workers were approached. Of these,
51 former program-involved workers (education
group) and 50 former non-participants (technical barriers),
and newly recruited ones (regulation group) who
filled out a one-page questionnaire, had their photographs taken
and were measured (spectrophotometer) for melanin presence,
were included in the present study. Findings indicated that
participants in the regulation group had a significantly
lower mean years of seniority and a higher number of workers
in semi-skilled occupations. Both groups were identical in age,
ethnic origin and reported skin type. Consistent and significant
between-group differences were observed in the SCPB and melanin
presence mean scores, suggesting better SCPB habits among the
education group employees in comparison to their
counterparts. The multiple regression analysis indicated that
former program-involved participants and older workers were
significantly more likely than others to comply with desired
SCPB practices. Combined, our previous and present findings
suggest that the educational approach was indispensable for
generating and sustaining long-term skin cancer control practices
and was preferable to the use of regulations, per se. Though
no final conclusions could be drawn regarding the validity of
the spectrophotometer- and camera-related procedures, and both
are limited with regard to uncovering the motivational factors
of behavioral outcomes, it should be recognized that the camera
is a low-cost and easily available tool for capturing reality
while overcoming management's claims on workers' time. Results
are also discussed in terms of practical implications.
Key words: health education; outdoor workers; safety regulations; skin cancer preventive behavior
 |
INTRODUCTION
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The health-damaging effects of excessive and cumulative exposure
to solar radiation, during leisure time and work, have been
manifested in the worldwide steep increase of melanoma and non-melanoma
skin cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinoma), as well as
skin neoplasias (solar keratoses) and photoaging, which may
herald increased skin cancer risk and ocular damage (Mullen
et al., 1996

; Naylor and Farmer, 1997

). Israel has one of the
highest incidence rates of skin cancer in the world (Israel
Cancer Association, 1991

). Over 600 new cases of malignant melanoma
and 7500 new cases of BCC are registered annually (Israel Cancer
Registry, 1998

), indicating an increase of 100% for MM in the
past 1015 years. Rates were found to be higher among
Israeli-born Jews and Jews who immigrated to Israel from Europe
and America, and relatively lower among Jews of Asia/Africa
origin. Agricultural populations (kibbutzim members) and outdoor
workers have also been identified to be at high risk (Anaise
et al., 1978

; Azizi
et al., 1990

; Rosenberg
et al., 1991

; Gutman
et al., 1992

). Although an inherited light complexion and a
poor tanning ability increase one's susceptibility to the disease,
its onset and prognosis are, to a great extent, behaviorally
determined and could thus be individually controlled (Marks,
1995

; Everett and Colditz, 1997

). Limiting exposure to sunlight
between 10 am and 3 pm, using protective clothing, hats, sunglasses
and sunscreens on exposed body areas are considered significant
measures in lowering the risk of developing the disease. It
is also estimated that 90% of the cases are curable if detected
and treated at an early stage (Rhodes, 1995

; Brandt, 1996

).
However, while public campaigns have had positive effects on
people's awareness and skin cancer-related knowledge, a great
number of studies indicate that getting at-risk populations
to practice preventive measures remains a thorny problem (Arthey
and Clark, 1995

). The soci-cultural imperatives of fair skin
populations to acquire a tan for the sake of beauty, relaxation
and even health (Broadstock
et al., 1992

; Keesling and Friedman,
1995

; Lupton and Gaffney, 1996

), and the inherent job-related
imperatives of outdoor workers (Girgis
et al., 1994

; Morris
and Elwood, 1996

) are but some of the adoption-related barriers
worldwide. The need to promote the use of sun-protection measures
and early detection skills is particularly acute among outdoor
employees, almost half of which have been identified in a national
survey conducted in Israel at increased risk for skin cancer
due to occupational sun exposure (Azizi
et al., 1990

). Moreover,
given the nature of their occupation, they may be exposed to
up to eight times the dose of ultra-violet radiation compared
to indoor workers (Stepanski and Mayer, 1998

), yet they cannot
practice sun avoidance when radiation is high and their work
routines might be resistant to change (Mullen
et al., 1996

).
Furthermore, most outdoor workers are blue-collar males and
are thus in general less likely than women and white-collar
males to engage in preventive and health-promoting activities
(Pion
et al., 1994

; Sorensen
et al., 1998

). Their increased
risk notwithstanding, there is a dearth of information on the
development of worker-focused interventions. Also rare are longitudinal
studies that measure feasibility, illuminate the process of
change, and identify effective health-promoting strategies in
this complex field setting (Morris and Elwood, 1996

). Thus,
in 1995, a two-phase multifaceted intervention (at 12-month
interval) and a 26-month follow-up study were administered to
a convenience sample of permanent outdoor employees (100% males)
of the Israel National Water CompanyMekorot (Shani
et al., 1998

). The pattern of our quantitative findings, derived
from three self-report questionnaires, supported the efficacy
of the first-phase intervention, comprising an
educational slide-based session and a clinical skin and eye
examination. Data also supported the incremental beneficial
effect of structural changes, in the form of free access to
sun-protection gear, as one component of the second phase
intervention comprising, in addition, a repeated educational
session and skill-acquisition exercises (Shani
et al., 2000

).
The multivariate analyses revealed that perceived self-efficacy
(Bandura, 1986

) was the most consistent and most powerful predictor
of skin cancer control habits. It is thus possible that cumulative
interventions coupled with efficacy-building strategies (Stajkovic
and Luthans, 1998

) and structural changes could enable and reinforce
behavioral changes. However, qualitative data gathered from
trained safety officers, via 6-monthly feedback meetings, revealed
the officers' impression that the educational, as well as the
structural measures had a short-term and somewhat limited effect.
It was suggested that the barriers to action were rooted in
the interplay between the obstinate nature of behavioral patterns,
the dictate of norms and the gear-related constraints, expressed
in comments such as There is a guy called Moti who always
comes to work with a long-sleeved shirt, but he won't be caught
dead wearing a hat, and ... it [sunscreen lotion]
smells too good, what am I going to tell my wife ...
Finally, the officers advocated the use of authentic
life stories (e.g. the experience of skin cancer among
peers) in order to raise awareness, and reiterated the need
for safety regulations as the best means of enhancing and sustaining
health-related actions. Partly as a result of our efforts, regulations
concerning free supply and obligatory use of sun-protection
gear were passed by the Israeli Ministry of Labor and Social
Affairs in September 1997. To date, the Mekorot management has
complied with the law, but it has been reluctant to carry out
our recommendation to conduct educational sessions for newly
recruited workers, let alone repeated skill training sessions
for all (personal communication from Mekorot southern region
chief safety supervisor, 1999). This unique feature, and the
fact that during the months of JuneAugust most permanent
workers are replaced by temporary ones, provided us with the
opportunity to capture behavioral responsiveness to regulations,
per se, without education, and to test the role of health education
in generating long-term health behavior habits. To accomplish
these goals, we approached, yet again, the participants of the
1995 Mekorot longitudinal study, as well as a group of previously
non-participants, due to technical barriers, and newly recruited
ones. To gather data on skin cancer preventive behavior (SCPB),
workers, at the various working sites, filled out a one-page
questionnaire, were measured for melanin presence and were then
photographed. The decision to use the camera as a research tool
was formed within the theories and field experience of the participatory
action researchPAR [reported in detail by (Wang
et al.,
1996

) and (Wang
et al., 1998

)] and the safety officers' suggestion
for authentic life stories. According to Wang's
evidence, using the camera to document reality
could be a powerful means to enable people to express their
needs, to increase critical consciousness about community issues,
to build capacity for social change and to exert influence on
policy-makers. However, unlike the PAR method, where participants
themselves documented the reality of their everyday lives, the
present study put the camera in the hands of the researcher
and its direct use was restricted for data collection
only. Indirectly and not empirically tested, we hoped that the
camera-related procedures could be used as a tool to enhance
awareness and place the issue of skin cancer control, once again,
on the agenda of both management and workers.
 |
METHODS
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Study population and data collection modes
The sample comprised outdoor workers from the three former intervention-involved
units (Shani
et al., 1998

), located in the southern region of
the Israel Water CompanyMekorot. Only those who were
present at the various working sites and at the central mother-base
on a particular date determined by the working schedule of Mekorot's
chief safety supervisor were included. Table 1

presents the
dates, hours, locations and number of outdoors interviewed.
At the site, workers were first asked to read and sign an informed
consent. Next, questionnaires were distributed and individual
full-body photographs were taken. However, due to inaccurate
handling of the camera, most of the photographs did not include
shoes. If the photographs were taken between 7 and 9 am at the
central home-base before leaving to the dispersed working sites,
the chief supervisor saw to it that workers fetched their personal
hats and sunglasses from their working vans. In an effort to
support the above procedures and due to a special loan, a narrow-band
reflectance spectrophotometer [for details see (Thibodeau and
D'Ambrosio, 1997

)] was used to measure individual melanin presence,
as an indicator of facultative UV-inducible skin pigmentation
(Mahler
et al., 1997

). Five anatomical sites were measured:
inner upper arm (considered to be representative of baseline
constitutive pigmentation level); lower right arm; cheek below
the zygomatic bone; upper vermilion; and lower vermilion. All
measurements were duplicated and each was obtained in 5 s. It
should be noted that the researcher in charge of data collection
was a medical student whose mother tongue was Russian and whose
second language was English. She was therefore assisted, for
the above procedures, by the supervisor and an Israeli student.
Measurement
The independent (questionnaire-based) variables included: date, hour, working site, age, seniority, present occupation [categorized for further statistical analysis according to levels of sun exposure into: lowmedium exposure (e.g. administrators; team supervisor); high (e.g. constructors and maintenance workers)]; birthplace and parents origin (categorized for further analysis according to SC risk into: 1 = Africa/Asia; 2 = Europe/America; 3 = Israel); skin type (categorized for further analysis according to SC risk into: 1 = dark; 2 = medium brown; 3 = white); participation in the intervention procedures (0 = no, 1 = yes). The dependent (questionnaire-based) behavioral variables included: use of sunscreen today (0 = no, 1 = yes); use of sunscreen in general (1 = rarely, 2 = often, 3 = always); visit to a doctor for skin exam during past year (0 = no, 1 = yes); and frequency of self skin exam (1 = neverrarely, 2 = often). The dependent (photograph-based) behavioral variables included: hat, sunglasses and a collared shirt (0 = no, 1 = yes), sleeves (no sleeves = 0, short sleeves = 1, long sleeves = 2), pants (short = 1, long = 2). The behavioral outcome measureSCPBwas constructed by summing up the scores of seven behavior-related items, thus creating a range of potential scores for each individual from 3 to 12. It should be noted that the question on sunscreen use today was excluded due to the fact that over 50% of the workers were interviewed during the early morning hours at the mother-base and some complained that it was too early to apply sunscreen. Also excluded was the item on visiting a doctor for a skin exam, as turning to a clinical skin exam is not recommended for either frequent or constant use. Melanin presence variables were computed by calculating the mean values of three anatomical sites: inner upper arm; lower arm; and cheek.
Statistical analysis
Data analyses were conducted using the SPSS for Windows version 6.1. The comparison on the background characteristics of the education group (participants in former intervention procedures) versus regulation group (non-participants) was conducted using the chi-square tests for categorical variables and non-paired t-tests (two-tailed) for the continuous ones. The t-test statistical procedures were also used to identify between-group differences on the SCPB measure, and on the three melanin presence items. Finally, to determine the unique contribution of each of the independent background variables to the prediction of the dependent outcome measure of SCPB, a stepwise regression analysis, using dummy variables for categorical items, was performed on the overall sample.
 |
RESULTS
|
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Of the 118 workers interviewed, one refused to be photographed,
15 photographs were damaged and one missed the program-participation
item. The statistical analyses were thus conducted on a sample
of
n = 101, of which 51 reported taking part in the former skin
cancer control program. Table 2

displays between-group comparisons
on background characteristics.
As could be expected, the regulations group,
in comparison to the education group, had a significantly
lower mean years of seniority and a significantly higher number
of workers in semi-skilled occupations demanding higher levels
of sun exposure. Both groups were similar on age means, birthplace
(overall higher number of Israeli-born employees), father and
mother origin (overall a higher number of workers of Asia/Africa
origin), and skin color (overall a higher number of workers
with a light skin color). Between-group differences on the SCPB
and the melanin presence scores are presented in Table 3

.
A significant between-group difference was found on the SCPB
measure, indicating that the education group scored
higher (better protected) than the regulation
group. The significant between-group differences on the melanin
presence mean scores of the three anatomical sites supported
the above findings, indicating that workers in the education
group had lower melanin presence means (implying better protection)
than their counterparts. Controlling for demographics and the
reported skin type, the results of the multivariate analysis
performed on the SCPB measure revealed that participation in
the educational procedures and age were the only significant
predictors, accounting for 7% (ß = 0.263,
p = 0.01) and
an additional 4% (ß = 0.198,
p = 0.046) of the variance
explained, respectively.
 |
DISCUSSION
|
|---|
The present photosurvey corroborated with our 1995 multifaceted
and long-term skin cancer control project among outdoor workers
of Mekorotthe Israel National Water Company (Shani
et al., 1998

). Targeting two groups of program-involved workers
versus former non-participants and newly recruited ones, the
photosurvey sought to investigate the role of sun-protection
regulations, comprising free access to safety gear and issued
when project ended, versus educational measures on workers'
SCPB patterns. Regardless of outcomes, we also attempted to
expand on the scope of evaluation methodologies by using the
camera, in addition to a short self-report questionnaire, to
document reality, and a spectrophotometer to assist
in supporting the results of both. A consistent and significant
pattern of between-group differences was demonstrated, indicating
more positive SCPB practices among the education
group versus the regulation only group. These
findings are in line with theoretical arguments (Tones and Tilford,
1994

), with the empirical data of others (O'Toole, 1999

) and
with our previous findings (Shani
et al., 1998

; Shani
et al.,
2000

) with regard to the role of educational measures in generating
positive changes in skin cancer control habits. Because data
for the present outcome measure of SCPB were differently gathered
(mostly by the camera) and differently computed than the SCPB-index
in the 1995 Mekorot project, it is unclear whether safety regulations
had an incremental contribution to these behavior patterns.
However, though caution in interpreting our results is warranted
due to the study's methodological limitations of sample size,
measurements' tools, lack of data regarding participants' education
level and its cross-sectional nature, it seems that the regulations,
per se, were less likely than the educational measures to achieve
desired health-promoting aims. Another important finding, derived
from the multivariate analysis, was the significant explanatory
contribution of age, above and beyond program participation.
Consistent with the findings of Carmel
et al. (Carmel
et al.,
1994

; Carmel
et al., 1996

) and others (Arthey and Clark, 1995

),
it was evident that the higher the age the better the SCPB practices.
It is possible that similar to younger male students in Australia
(Lupton and Gaffney, 1996

), younger outdoor employees in Israel
are unwilling to be concerned with health and photoaging and
they are less eager to comply with unmasculine
protective measures such as sunscreen lotions. Clearly, from
a practical point of view, efforts should be invested in recruiting
the co-operation of pharmaceutical industries, as well as the
fashion industries, to manufacture products (e.g. sunscreens)
which could appeal to the prevailing masculine stereotypes.
Finally, though a considerable body of knowledge now supports
the view that individual and group empowerment is conducive
to health and well being (Rissel, 1994

), one source of which
is creating photographic images of daily life (Wang, 1999

),
our research design does not allow any conclusions regarding
the impact of the data-collection techniques on awareness raising,
empowerment and action. Further research is thus warranted to
determine if a picture is worth a thousand words
in this context and other life settings. Yet, based on our short
experience, the photosurvey was a low-cost and easily available
method for capturing outcomes and overcoming management's claims
on workers' time. However, its validity might be limited because
unannounced observations are not possible. It also excludes
any account of demographic and psycho-social factors which explore
and explain behavioral outcomes. To penetrate beneath the photographic
images, the triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods
should be pursued. Likewise, the validity of the spectrophotometer-related
data, though objective and easily gathered, needs
further investigation. At the level of intervention strategies,
it is rather common sense knowledge that an ecological
perspective (Green
et al., 1996

) and the synergy of the education,
engineering (structural) and enforcement approaches for addressing
public health problems should be adopted.
 |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
|
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We wish to thank Dr Joseph D'Ambrosio and Dr Edward Thibodeau
from the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Oral Diagnosis,
University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, USA, for
their interest in our study and for providing us with the spectrophotometer.
We would also like to thank Dr Judy Lewis, Director of Community
Based Education, Department of Community Medicine, The School
of Medicine of the University of Connecticut Health Center,
for her involvement. Last but not least, we are indebted to
the Mekorot employees and the managing staff, especially Yoram
Tevelchief safety officerfor their participation
and long-term co-operation.
 |
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