Revista Brasileira em Promoção da Saúde (Mar 2012)

Inquiry on the sun exposition in beach workers

  • Patrícia Froes Meyer,
  • Rodrigo Marcel Valentim da Silva,
  • Maria Goretti Freire de Carvalho,
  • Monisa Martins Nóbrega,
  • Amanda Spínola Barreto,
  • Felipe de Sales Aires,
  • Arilson Gois Gomes de Brito Oliveira,
  • Efigênia Maria Nogueira da Silva,
  • Evangelline Feitosa Cleomenes da Cruz Daams,
  • Juliana Melo Souza,
  • Marina Oliveira Menezes,
  • Joaquina Elizete Cardoso da Silva

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 1
pp. 103 – 109

Abstract

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Objective: To investigate the habits of photoexposition and photoprotection among beach workers in Natal-RN, Brazil. Methods: It is a descriptive observational epidemiological study of transverse type, with random sample consisting in 102 workers of Ponta NegraBeach, evaluated through a questionnaire of the Ministry of Health (DAS UV). Results: It was noted that 56% (n=57) of workers remain submitted to sun exposure for an average of 6 hours or more per day. It was found that approximately 24% (n=24) of respondents do notuse sun protection. Workers showed a low educational level, since 55% (n=56) had only attended elementary school, whether graduated or not, and average monthly income was below two minimum wages for 69.96% of volunteers. Conclusion: This assessment revealed that workers of Ponta Negra Beach, Natal-RN, are highly exposed to ultraviolet radiation during their professional activities, without proper photoprotection of skin.

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