Evaluation of a community-based participatory farmworker eye health intervention in the "black dirt" region of New York State.
Authors
Earle-Richardson-G; Wyckoff-L; Carrasquillo-M; Scribani-M; Jenkins-P; May-J
Source
Am J Ind Med 2014 Sep; 57(9):1053-1063
Abstract
Background: Eye irritation is a constant hazard for migrant and seasonal farmworkers, but there are few studies of the problem or how to address it. Researchers evaluated the effect of a community-based participatory eye health intervention on farmworker eye symptoms in the Hudson Valley, NY. Methods: A randomized pre-post intervention with 2, 4-week follow-up periods was implemented with a sample of 97 farmworkers. Five eye symptoms were measured, along with utilization of protective eyewear and eye drops. Results: Leading baseline eye symptoms were redness (49%), blurred vision (43%), itching (43%), and eye pain (29%). Significant reductions in eye pain (P=0.009), and nonsignificant reductions in redness were observed for the intervention group while controls experienced increases in both. Conclusions: The intervention was effective in significantly reducing eye pain, and to a lesser extent, redness. Future eyewear promotion programs should offer a range of eye wear, tailor offerings to local climate and tasks, evaluate eyewear durability, and include eye drops.
Keywords
Eye-irritants; Eyes; Demographic-characteristics; Sociological-factors; Racial-factors; Agriculture; Statistical-analysis; Humans; Men; Women; Farmers;
Author Keywords: eye health; migrant; agriculture; farmworker; occupational; community-based participatory research; participatory intervention development; evaluation
Contact
Giulia Earle-Richardson, PhD, MPH, NewYork Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare Network,One Atwell Rd., Cooperstown, NY 13326
Document Type
Journal Article
Email Address
Gwrite@stny.rr.com
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R25-OH-008144; M072014
Source Name
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Performing Organization
Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital - New York
