Evaluation of skin cancer risk levels, risk perceptions, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of agricultural workers in two villages of Keşan district of Edirne province

Background and Aim: Skin cancer is an important health problem that attracts attention with its increasing incidence all over the world and in Turkey. This study aimed to determine the skin cancer risk perceptions of agricultural workers, their risk levels, their knowledge levels and behaviors regarding skin cancer and sun protection. Material and Methods: The study, which is descriptive and cross-sectional, was conducted with 186 agricultural workers living in Akhoca and Suluca villages in Keşan district of Edirne province. Data were collected with a personal information form that questions the sociodemographic characteristics of agricultural workers, Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification, and skin cancer knowledge and behavior questionnaires. The survey was applied using face-to-face interview technique. A package program called SPSS (IBM SPSS Statistics 20) was used to perform statistical analyses. Results: In the study, the average age of agricultural workers is 52.89±13.63, 89.8% of them are male and 67.7% are primary school graduates. It was determined that 34.4% of the participants were at high risk according to the Fitzpatrick skin phototype classification. However, 75.3% of them did not consider that they are at risk for skin cancer. The average knowledge score of the participants is 7.76±1.65, and the average behavioral score is 12.11±3.78. Especially having a high income level increases the average knowledge score of agricultural workers by 0.896 points and being under 40 years of age by 0.854 points. Female gender increases the average behavioral score by 3.562 points, working time of less than 6 months increases by 1.987 points, risk level increases by 2.306 points and the average knowledge score increases by 0.385 points. Conclusion: In the study, it can be concluded from the study that one in every three farmers has a high risk of skin cancer. However, it was determined that the participants' knowledge level about skin cancer and sun protection was good, but their behavior scores were low. It is necessary to provide training on skin cancer and sun protection and organize screening programs for people with high risk levels and low knowledge and behavior scores. Keywords: skin cancer, agricultural worker, risk perception, risk level, sun protection