Subjective and objective skin colour of a farmworker group in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background Farmworkers in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, are at risk of excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (sUVR) due to both their work and the sUVR environment in the geographic area. However, the natural protection provided by this group's skin against sUVR has not been q...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Skin research and technology Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 923 - 931
Main Authors: Linde, Karlien, Wright, Caradee Yael, du Plessis, Johannes Lodewykus
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Copenhagen John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.11.2020
Subjects:
Color
environmental health
Evaluation
Exposure
Farmworkers
individual typology angle
Measurement methods
Melanin
melanin index
Skin
skin colour
Solar radiation
sun exposure
Typology
Ultraviolet radiation
South Africa
ISSN:0909-752X, 1600-0846, 1600-0846
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Background Farmworkers in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, are at risk of excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (sUVR) due to both their work and the sUVR environment in the geographic area. However, the natural protection provided by this group's skin against sUVR has not been quantified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the subjective and objective skin colour of a group of farmworkers in order to classify the natural photoprotection provided by melanin and to evaluate the different measurement methods. Materials and Methods Skin colour was established by using the subjective Fitzpatrick skin phototype system (FST) questionnaire and two objective methods, namely the individual typology angle (ITA°) and melanin index (MI). A total of 71 farmworkers participated in the study. Results Black Africans tended to perceive their skin to be lighter than objectively measured, potentially due to cultural factors. The constitutive skin colour of most farmworkers was objectively classified in the FST V/brown group. Significant differences were found between the ITA° and MI of sun‐exposed (constitutive) and non–sun‐exposed (facultative) skin in Black African and White farmworkers. A strong correlation was found between ITA° and MI on different anatomical positions indicating both methods are appropriate to determine skin colour in deeply pigmented skin. Conclusion The evaluation of skin colour with the use of both subjective and objective methods may be used to design an effective photoprotection programme for farmworkers in the Limpopo Province.
Bibliography:Funding information
CYW receives research funding from the South African Medical Research Council and the National Research Foundation (South Africa).The funders played no role in the study design, collection or analyses of data as well as the decision to publish or the preparation of the manuscript.
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ISSN:0909-752X
1600-0846
1600-0846
DOI:10.1111/srt.12895