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Effectiveness of community health workers for promoting use of safety eyewear by Latino farm workers

2004; Wiley; Volume: 46; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1002/ajim.20103

1097-0274

Linda Forst, Steven Lacey, Hua Yun Chen, R Jiménez, Susan Bauer, Sara Skinner, R Alvarado, Leslie Nickels, Joseph Zanoni, Robert E. Petrea, Lorraine M. Conroy,

Traffic and Road Safety

Abstract Background To evaluate The Community Health Worker “ promotor de salud ” (CHW) model is evaluated as a tool for reducing eye injuries in Latino farm workers. Methods In 2001, 786 workers on 34 farms were divided into three intervention blocks: (A) CHWs provided protective eyewear and training to farm workers; (B) CHWs provided eyewear but no training to farm workers; (C) eyewear was distributed to farm workers with no CHW present and no training. Results Pre‐ and post‐intervention questionnaires demonstrated greater self‐reported use of eyewear in all blocks after the intervention ( P < 0.0001), with Block A showing the greatest change compared to B ( P < 0.0001) and C ( P = 0.03); this was supported by field observations. Block A showed the greatest improvement in knowledge on questions related to training content. Conclusion CHWs were an effective tool to train farm workers in eye health and safety, improving the use of personal protective equipment and knowledge. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:607–613, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.