Galawe Sipho David, Lebelo Kgomotso, Rathebe Phoka Caiphus
Life Sciences, Central University of Technology Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.
Occupational Health Division, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
BMJ Open. 2025 Jan 7;15(1):e083811. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083811.
The sun is one of the primary natural sources of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and a known human carcinogen. It has been related to melanoma and several skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Non-melanoma skin cancers are prevalent in South Africa, with high reported incidence rates in both genders. Due to its diversified population, South Africa experiences extreme ultraviolet index (UVI) levels, reaching 13 in the summer (a UVI of 11+ is considered extreme). Most summer workdays expose outdoor workers to repeated UVR exposure, which can lead to health risks like sunburn, premature ageing, cataracts, and an increased risk of skin cancer. This study aims to evaluate UV radiation exposure among outdoor military workers.
A cross-sectional quantitative study will occur at the Lohatla military base in Kathu, Northern Cape province of South Africa, using personal electronic dosimeters for solar UVR assessment. Additionally, a self-administered questionnaire will assist in assessing health effects and perceived exposure behaviours. The study addresses a critical public health concern, exploring significant risks associated with UVR exposure among outdoor military workers across different demographics.
The ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Health Sciences Research Committees of the University of Free State (UFS-HSD2023/1227/2811). The confidential data will be accessed by the named researchers and stored in secure password-protected platforms. In addition, the findings will be disseminated through high-impact publications in various formats to government departments and the broader scientific community.
太阳是紫外线辐射（UVR）的主要自然来源之一，也是一种已知的人类致癌物。它与黑色素瘤和几种皮肤癌有关，如鳞状细胞癌和基底细胞癌。非黑色素瘤皮肤癌在南非很普遍，据报道男女发病率都很高。由于其人口的多样性，南非经历了极端的紫外线指数（UVI）水平，夏季可达13（UVI为11+被认为是极端的）。大多数夏季工作日，户外工作者会反复暴露在紫外线辐射下，这可能导致晒伤、过早衰老、白内障等健康风险，以及皮肤癌风险增加。本研究旨在评估户外军事工作者的紫外线辐射暴露情况。
一项横断面定量研究将在南非北开普省卡图的洛哈特拉军事基地进行，使用个人电子剂量计评估太阳紫外线辐射。此外，一份自我管理的问卷将有助于评估健康影响和感知到的暴露行为。该研究解决了一个关键的公共卫生问题，探索了不同人口统计学特征的户外军事工作者中与紫外线辐射暴露相关的重大风险。
本研究已获得自由州大学健康科学研究委员会（UFS-HSD2023/1227/2811）的伦理批准。指定的研究人员将访问机密数据，并存储在受密码保护的安全平台上。此外，研究结果将通过各种形式的高影响力出版物传播给政府部门和更广泛的科学界。
