Sun-protective practices in Iranian seafarers and its psychological predictors

Given the long exposure of seafarers to sunlight and the necessity of recognising determinants of sun-protective practices along with developing educational efforts for the prevention of skin cancer, this study was designed to determine the psychological predictors of sun-protective practices among Iranian seafarers based on protection motivation theory (PMT) variables.

In this cross-sectional study, 300 seafarers who worked on Ports and Maritime Organisation of Bushehr Port, Iran were selected. PMT and demographic variables were assessed through a 63-item questionnaire. Multiple linear regression (forward method) was used to determine the predictors of adopting sun-protective practices based on PMT variables.

About 11.7% of the participants always wore a hat with a wide brim of more than 7.5 cm width, 20% wore sunglasses while outside under the sun and 12.7% gloves. Only 13.7% regularly had their skin checked by a doctor. Behavioural intention, perceived severity, response efficacy and response costs explained 41% of the variance of adopting sun-protective practices among the seafarers (R2 = 0.41, F = 11.89, p < 0.001).

The finding explores factors affecting sun protective behaviours among Iranian seafarers. Seafarers with a high level of perceived severity, more response efficacy, more intention for performing behaviour, and fewer response costs were most likely to be regularly engaged in sun protective behaviours.