A predictive model of the sunscreen use in the paddy workers based on the health action process approach model: a path analysis.

Background: Skin cancer is considered as one of the most common cancers in the world. There is little information about identifying factors affecting sunscreen use among paddy workers and their protective behavior. The present study aimed to determine a predictive model of the sunscreen use in the paddy workers based on the health action process approach model (HAPA).

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 177 paddy workers who engaged in agricultural work in the north of Iran in 2018. Convenience sampling methods was used. Inclusion criteria were being a farmer for 5 years, working under the sunshine more than 2 h per day, and above the age of 30 years. A multi-sectional questionnaire (intention, risk perception (RP), outcome expectation (OE), action self-efficacy (ASE), action planning (AP), coping planning (CP), coping SE (CSE), self-monitoring (SM), and sunscreen use) was used for data collection. Data were analyzed with SPSS-21 and Lisrel-8.8 software.

Results: The mean age of participants was 47.78 ± 12.66 years. The final path model fitted well (comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.98, RMSEA = 0.000), only coping self-efficacy (CSE) from both direct and indirect paths had an impact on sunscreen use (B = 0.73). Among the variables which are influenced only in one direction, coping planning (CP) had the most direct influence (B = 0.30) on behavior, and action planning had the lowest influence (B = 0.24).

Conclusion: Coping self-efficacy was the most important factor which had influence on the use of sunscreen, and it should be considered when designing interventional programs related to sunscreen use among paddy workers.