ELABORAÇÃO DE UM MANUAL DE PREVENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA DO CÂNCER DE PELE PARA TRABALHADORES RURAIS DE UMA EMPRESA DE CULTIVO DE FLORES

Abstract

Introduction: Skin cancer is a dermatosis with a high incidence. Despite its multifactorial etiology, people who have been exposed to solar radiation for a long time are at high risk for disease developing. Aim: To investigate the knowledge that rural workers from a flower farm had about skin cancer and what preventive measures were adopted; in order to develop a primary prevention manual for skin cancer targeted to this population. Methods: Thirty five rural workers were recruited and their sociodemographic, personal and lifestyle data were collected; as well as they were asked about their knowledge related to skin cancer and the adopted preventive measures. The subsequent preparation of the manual was based on these data collection. Results: Most participants aged 26–39 years old (57.1%) reported exposing themselves to the sun from 7 am to 4 pm and for more than three hours straight. When they were asked about the adopted preventive measures, most workers (54.3%) reported using sunscreen, hats, and clothing. However, the majority (28.6%) reported not reapplying the sunscreen as recommended. Thus, a manual was prepared with information on the main risk factors and primary prevention methods for skin cancer. Conclusion: The participants of this study demonstrated satisfactory knowledge about skin cancer and the primary prevention manual contributed to reinforce preventive measures, mainly related to the reapplication of sunscreen.