Survey assessment of worker dermal exposure and underlying behavioral determinants
L.A. Geer*1, B. Curbow1, D. Anna2, B. van-Wendel-de-Joode3, T.J. Buckley1
1Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, United States
2Millersville University,Millersville, United States
3IRET-UNA, Heredia, Costa Rica
Background
Because the burden of worker protection depends greatly on worker behavior, behavior becomes a significant determinant of dermal exposure. Therefore, its assessment becomes paramount in examining and understanding factors influencing exposure. The main objectives of this study were to: 1) assess worker knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) of workplace dermal hazards and to examine their associations with behavior/exposure; 2) compare worker and manager scores to identify potential gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions between the two groups; 3) utilize a semi-quantitative observational DeRmal Exposure Assessment Methodology, DREAM, to evaluate worker dermal exposure; and 4) identify potential behavioral factors underlying exposure using DREAM and KAP.
Methods
Nineteen industries across the Baltimore, MD and York, PA region participated in the study including a total of 89 workers and 19 managers. Participating industries were those in which there was a significant potential for worker dermal exposure to chemicals. Workers participated in a KAP self-complete questionnaire. Those same workers were also observed by a technician using the DREAM exposure survey. The scales within the KAP questionnaire that served as the unit of analysis included knowledge, training, behavior, behavior beliefs, information beliefs, self-efficacy, and overall beliefs. Variability in exposure and KAP within and between workers and managers were evaluated using a variety if statistical approaches including ANOVA, paired t-test, Fishers exact test, and regression.
Results
All 89 workers and 19 managers, respectively, across 19 facilities completed the KAP and DREAM survey. DREAM scores ranged from 0.15 to 545 with a median of 8 and a mean of 22. Whereas worker self-efficacy with respect to PPE use and information beliefs were positively associated protective behavior (p=0.01 and p<0.01, respectively), behavior beliefs were negatively associated with behavior (p<0.01). Past experience of never having had a problem was positively associated with worker behavior (p<0.01). Dermal exposure was positively associated with workers who had more years of experience (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant associations between KAP and DREAM.
Conclusions
Results of this questionnaire can inform strategies to improve awareness and protective practices in the workplace through factors such as increased worker dermal hazard knowledge, well-informed company, PPE selection and availability, and improved worker training.
Content last modified: 20 May 2005
