Linde Karlien, Wright Caradee Yael, Kapwata Thandi, du Plessis Johannes Lodewykus
Occupational Hygiene and Health Research Initiative (OHHRI), North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Department of Physiology and Environmental Health, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa.
Photochem Photobiol. 2021 Mar;97(2):453-455. doi: 10.1111/php.13388. Epub 2021 Feb 9.
Although ocular diseases related to solar ultraviolet radiation exposure have a high prevalence in Africa, little is known about the occupational use of ocular photoprotective measures on the continent. In a survey of South Africa farmworkers on a farm in the Limpopo Province, we analyzed factors related to ocular sun protection including use of different types of hats and sunglasses in relation to age, gender and duration of agricultural employment. Majority of participants (80%) never wore sunglasses while 23% never wore a hat when working. More male workers used measures to protect their eyes than female workers. The type of hat most worn was a cap although broad-brimmed hats provide more effective photoprotection. The need for awareness campaigns that focus on the importance of using photoprotective measures in both an agricultural and South Africa contexts was identified.
尽管与太阳紫外线辐射暴露相关的眼部疾病在非洲的患病率很高，但在非洲大陆，人们对眼部光保护措施的职业使用情况知之甚少。在对林波波省一个农场的南非农场工人进行的一项调查中，我们分析了与眼部防晒相关的因素，包括不同类型的帽子和太阳镜的使用情况与年龄、性别和农业工作时长的关系。大多数参与者（80%）在工作时从不戴太阳镜，23%的人从不戴帽子。使用眼部保护措施的男性工人多于女性工人。最常戴的帽子类型是鸭舌帽，尽管宽边帽提供更有效的光保护。我们认识到需要开展宣传活动，重点关注在农业环境和南非背景下使用光保护措施的重要性。
