Skin Cancer Preventive Behaviors in Iranian Farmers: Applying Protection Motivation Theory

Farmers are among the most common work groups at risk of skin cancer. The protection motivation theory has been widely accepted as a framework for predicting health related behaviors. This study was conducted to determine the role of factors preventing skin cancer among farmers in Eslamabad-e Gharb district, Iran, using the protection motivation theory. In this descriptive study, 280 farmers living in this district were studied from May to June 2017. Using cluster random sampling methods, health houses where farmers received health care were selected. Each farmer within the selected health house was then enrolled into the study using simple random sampling. Data were collected by interview using an author-developed questionnaire. The questionnaire ascertained demographic information and constructs of the protection motivation theory. Almost half of the farmers had a history of sunburn (56.4%). With regard to prevention, a small proportion reported using sunscreen (8.6%), hats (3.2%), gloves 3.9%, sunglasses 4.6%, and protective clothing 15.4%. The results of regression analyses showed that with one unit of increase in the scores of self-efficacy to adopt prevention behavior and perceived protection motivation resulted in an increase in the mean score of the “protective” behavior by 0.26 and 0.20, respectively. Working conditions among farmers place them at great risk and skin cancer prevention is essential. Intervention and prevention programs should fully identify the determinants of skin cancer prevention in farmers; in addition, the identified effective factors must be taken into account when designing and implementing appropriate interventions