Implementation of an Occupational Sun Safety Intervention: Comparison of Two Scalability Strategies

• Published in: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine
• Main Authors: Buller, David B, Buller, Mary Klein, Meenan, Richard, Cutter, Gary R, Berteletti, Julia, Henry, Kimberly L, Kinsey, Alishia, Adjei, Irene, Chirico, Noah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 10-10-2024
• ISSN: 1076-2752; 1536-5948; 1536-5948
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000003248

Two methods for scaling up an evidence-based occupational sun protection program were compared.
Regional districts (n = 138) in 21 state Departments of Transportation throughout the United States were randomized to receive the Go Sun Smart at Work program via in-person or digital scalability methods in 2019-2022 in 1:2 ratio. Managers completed pretest and posttest surveys and employees completed posttest surveys. Due to the COVID pandemic, only posttest measures were analyzed (n = 255 managers; n = 1387 employees).
After scale-up, more employees reported training (b = 0.381, p = 0.021) and communication (b = 0.112, p = 0.049) at workplaces in in-person rather than digital strategy. There were no differences in managers' reports of sun protection training, communication, or actions by scalability method (p > 0.05).
Occupational sun protection was implemented during program scale up and employees recalled training/communication more in the in-person than digital strategy.