Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical condition of the lips and identify factors associated with lip lesions among street vendors occupationally exposed to solar radiation on the beaches of São Vicente, São Paulo State, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted involving 98 street vendors working on Gonzaguinha and Itararé beaches. Participants completed a structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic, occupational, and behavioral information, followed by a clinical examination of the lips. Descriptive analyses, univariate association tests, and multivariable binary logistic regression models were performed. Statistical significance was established at p<0.05. Results: The mean age of participants was 45.3 ± 13.4 years, and most were male (68.4%). Clinical lip alterations were identified in 35.7% of the sample, with lip dryness representing the most frequent finding (30.6%). Participants presenting lip lesions had significantly longer occupational exposure durations than those without lesions (177.7 vs. 102.6 months; p = 0.015). In the final multivariable model, occupational exposure duration (OR = 1.004; 95% CI: 1.001–1.008; p=0.007) and self-reported White ethnicity (OR=3.77; 95% CI: 1.44–9.89; p=0.007) remained independently associated with the presence of lip lesions. Conclusion: Beach street vendors constitute a vulnerable population with a high frequency of clinical lip alterations associated with chronic occupational sun exposure. Longer occupational exposure duration and self-reported White ethnicity were independently associated with higher odds of lip lesions. These findings reinforce the importance of preventive strategies, photoprotection measures, regular oral examinations, and early detection programs targeting outdoor workers.

Keywords

lip lesions, lip cancer, ultraviolet radiation, occupational health, oral health, epidemiology