Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>Background chronic exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a recognized risk factor for skin cancers, to which workers with an outdoor occupational activity in inter-tropical island territories constitute a particularly exposed population. On Reunion Island and Mayotte, where the UV index remains high year-round, preventive sun-protection measures remain insufficient. This study evaluated the six-month impact of a brief educational intervention on the sun-protection knowledge and behaviours of sun-exposed workers on these two islands. Methods before–after interventional study, with subjects acting as their own controls. After initial face-to-face data collection (T0), participants received an awareness intervention lasting approximately 20 minutes. Knowledge (score out of 20) and sun-protection practices (hat, covering clothing, glasses, sunscreen) were compared between T0 and six months (M6) using paired Student's t-tests for quantitative paired data and McNemar's test for binary paired data. Results among 535 workers included from November 2022 to November 2024, paired analyses covered 221 participants for knowledge and 250 for behaviours (mean age 39.3 ± 11.0 years; 87.2% men). The mean knowledge score increased significantly between T0 and T1: 14.79/20 versus 16.54/20; p < 0.001, with improvement in 64.3% of participants, more marked among those initially less informed. For behaviours, only the wearing of a hat or cap improved significantly between T0 and T1: 51.2% versus 57.6%; p = 0.041. Conclusion a brief educational intervention improves knowledge related to solar risks among workers exposed in a tropical setting, but its effect on behaviours remains limited. Complementary organizational and environmental measures appear necessary to bring about changes in practices.</p>