Sun Protection Program for Outdoor Workers

(GSSG Trial)

Overseen By Radhika Agarwal

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Emory University

Disqualifiers: Pregnant, Prisoners, Cognitively impaired, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

312 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Go Sun Smart Georgia (GSSG) for outdoor workers?

Research shows that a similar sun safety program, Go Sun Smart (GSS), increased awareness and reduced sunburns among outdoor workers in ski areas. Additionally, sun-safety education programs have been effective in improving sun-protection habits among outdoor workers, which suggests that GSSG could also be beneficial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Sun Protection Program for Outdoor Workers safe for humans?

The Sun Protection Program, including Go Sun Smart (GSS), has been tested in various settings, such as ski areas, and focuses on reducing sun exposure to prevent skin cancer. There is no specific mention of safety concerns in the studies, suggesting it is generally safe for human use. ^{2 5 6 7 8}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the dissemination of the Go Sun Smart Georgia (GSSG) program with Georgia worksites and learn whether the intervention changes the employees' sun protection behavior in outdoor workers in Southwest Georgia. The primary aim is to assess program effectiveness by comparing employee sun protection practices between the employers assigned to the GSSG intervention and the employers assigned to the wait-list control group (delayed intervention). The hypothesis that will be tested is that compared to the delayed intervention group, employees at intervention worksites will practice more sun protection during the post-test. Worksites will be asked to complete internal coach training and participate in technical assistance around sun safety. Study participants will fill out surveys and participate in interviews

Research Team

Alexandra Morshed, PhD

Principal Investigator

Rollins School of Public Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for outdoor workers in Southwest Georgia. Participants should be employed at worksites willing to implement the Go Sun Smart Georgia program and participate in surveys and interviews. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, suggesting that all employees at participating worksites may be eligible.

Inclusion Criteria

Semi-structured interviews employed by participating worksite closely involved with GSSG implementation and can read and/or clearly understand English

I work outside for 5+ hours weekly at a participating site and understand English.

I am a manager responsible for safety/health policy or training at my workplace and I understand English well.

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant women

Prisoners

I am unable to give consent for medical procedures.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Early Intervention

GSSG implementation for early intervention group worksites

16 weeks

Multiple visits for training and technical assistance

Delayed Intervention

GSSG implementation for delayed intervention group worksites

16 weeks

Multiple visits for training and technical assistance

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in sun safety behaviors and program effectiveness

16 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Go Sun Smart Georgia (GSSG)

Trial Overview The Go Sun Smart Georgia (GSSG) program's effectiveness is being tested by comparing sun protection behaviors of employees from worksites with the GSSG intervention against those on a wait-list control group. The study involves training, technical assistance, and data collection through surveys and interviews.

Participant Groups

Group I: Early Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

6 worksites will be enrolled. GSSG implementation in May-August 2024

Group II: Delayed Intervention Active Control 1 Intervention

6 worksites will be enrolled. GSSG implementation in August- December 2024.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Emory University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,735

Recruited

2,605,000+

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Collaborator

Trials

902

Recruited

25,020,000+

Klein Buendel, Inc.

Industry Sponsor

Trials

41

Recruited

20,000+

Findings from Research

A 20-month intervention program for outdoor workers resulted in a 15-61% improvement in sun protection habits, with significant increases in sunscreen use and skin self-examination rates after the program.

The most substantial improvements were seen in groups receiving complete and partial interventions, with sunscreen use increasing by 80% and 52% respectively, highlighting the effectiveness of repeated interventions and provision of protective gear.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A graded work site intervention program to improve sun protection and skin cancer awareness in outdoor workers in Israel. Azizi, E., Flint, P., Sadetzki, S., et al.[2019]

Outdoor workers are at high risk for sun-related health issues, with sunburn rates ranging from 50% to 80%, and many workers reported inadequate sun protection behaviors, such as rarely wearing protective clothing or sunscreen.

Sun-safety education programs have been shown to effectively improve sun-protective behaviors among outdoor workers, suggesting that these programs could significantly reduce sunburn rates and enhance overall skin health in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outdoor workers' sun-related knowledge, attitudes and protective behaviours: a systematic review of cross-sectional and interventional studies. Reinau, D., Weiss, M., Meier, CR., et al.[2022]

A study of 77 outdoor construction workers found that while most used hats (79%) and sleeved shirts (82%) for sun protection, sunscreen use (29%) and shade-seeking (8%) were much less common, indicating a need for improved sun safety practices.

Fair-skinned workers were more likely to engage in sun protection behaviors, and those working in environments that mandated protective clothing had better sun protection scores, suggesting that workplace policies can enhance sun safety and potentially reduce skin cancer risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outdoor Workers' Use of Sun Protection at Work and Leisure. Peters, CE., Koehoorn, MW., Demers, PA., et al.[2020]

The Sun Safe Workplaces (SSW) intervention significantly increased the adoption of sun protection actions among Colorado public sector employers, with intervention worksites implementing an average of 2.18 actions compared to 1.30 actions at control sites.

The total cost of the intervention was $121,789 over 24 months, resulting in a reasonable per-employee cost of $118 for project staff and $56 for worksites, making it comparable to other workplace health initiatives.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Economic Evaluation of an Intervention Promoting Adoption of Occupational Sun Protection Policies. Meenan, RT., Walkosz, BJ., Buller, DB., et al.[2022]

The Go Sun Smart (GSS) program significantly increased awareness of sun safety among outdoor workers at ski areas, with an odds ratio of 8.27, indicating a strong impact on knowledge about sun protection.

Employees participating in the GSS program reported fewer instances of sunburn, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.63, suggesting that effective implementation of the program correlates with better sun safety practices.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized trial testing a worksite sun protection program in an outdoor recreation industry. Buller, DB., Andersen, PA., Walkosz, BJ., et al.[2018]

The enhanced dissemination strategy (EDS) for the Go Sun Smart program led to significantly higher usage of sun protection materials among ski areas compared to the basic dissemination strategy (BDS), indicating that more personal engagement improves program implementation.

Managers from ski areas using the EDS reported more frequent communication about sun protection in various formats, such as newsletters and websites, suggesting that ongoing support and interaction are crucial for effective dissemination of health programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing industry-based dissemination of an occupational sun protection program with theory-based strategies employing personal contact. Buller, DB., Andersen, PA., Walkosz, BJ., et al.[2021]

The Go Sun Smart (GSS) program showed a decline in usage over time, from an average score of 6.24 immediately after implementation to 4.72 in long-term follow-up, indicating challenges in maintaining sun safety practices.

Ski areas that employed an Enhanced Dissemination Strategy (EDS) maintained higher GSS usage (average score of 6.53) compared to those using a Basic Dissemination Strategy (BDS) (average score of 4.49), suggesting that personal contact and support can enhance the sustainability of sun safety programs.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sustainability of the dissemination of an occupational sun protection program in a randomized trial. Buller, DB., Walkosz, BJ., Andersen, PA., et al.[2021]

The Sun Safe Workplaces (SSW) intervention significantly improved sun safety practices in local government organizations, with more sun safety messages and items observed at intervention sites compared to control groups.

Larger organizations were more successful in implementing sun safety measures, such as providing sunscreen and promoting protective clothing, indicating that size and resources may enhance the effectiveness of occupational health interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of Occupational Sun Safety at a 2-Year Follow-Up in a Randomized Trial: Comparison of Sun Safe Workplaces Policy Intervention to Attention Control. Buller, DB., Walkosz, BJ., Buller, MK., et al.[2020]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A graded work site intervention program to improve sun protection and skin cancer awareness in outdoor workers in Israel. [2019]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outdoor workers' sun-related knowledge, attitudes and protective behaviours: a systematic review of cross-sectional and interventional studies. [2022]

3. Korea (South) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Outdoor Workers' Use of Sun Protection at Work and Leisure. [2020]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Economic Evaluation of an Intervention Promoting Adoption of Occupational Sun Protection Policies. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Randomized trial testing a worksite sun protection program in an outdoor recreation industry. [2018]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing industry-based dissemination of an occupational sun protection program with theory-based strategies employing personal contact. [2021]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sustainability of the dissemination of an occupational sun protection program in a randomized trial. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Implementation of Occupational Sun Safety at a 2-Year Follow-Up in a Randomized Trial: Comparison of Sun Safe Workplaces Policy Intervention to Attention Control. [2020]