A Multi-Level Approach to Heat-Related Illness Prevention in Agricultural Workers

University of Washington86 enrolled

Overview

The project's primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level heat prevention approach in reducing adverse heat health effects in outdoor agricultural workers The secondary aims are to: * Test the effectiveness of an individual-level training component designed to reduce adverse heat health effects in outdoor agricultural workers * Evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace supervisor-level heat awareness application intended to support supervisor decisions to reduce the risk of workers experiencing adverse heat health effects

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

Conditions

Heat Stress Disorders

Interventions

Heat Education and Awareness ToolsOTHER

HEAT training will be delivered to agricultural workers by research staff in this study in the spring. HEAT training uses interactive approaches to engage participants and posters with visuals. Training covers types of heat-related illness and treatments, risk factors, appropriate clothing and hydration, and keeping cool in the home and community. The HEAT awareness application was developed in collaboration with Washington State University's AgWeatherNet Program to notify supervisors signed up for the service about hot weather conditions that might increase the risk for adverse health effects for workers. The HEAT awareness application is designed to allow subscribers to select weather stations of interest and view current heat indices as well as maximum daily heat indices forecasted over the following week. This information is coupled with information about health effects and prevention of adverse heat health effects. Materials are provided in English and Spanish.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Speak English or Spanish, live in same dwelling and work at same farm for the season, farm where participant works must agree to collaborate Exclusion Criteria:

Locations (1)

Farms (confidential)

Yakima, Washington, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Heat-related Illness Symptoms

Heat symptoms will be assessed using a short survey conducted in Spanish or English that includes questions about heat-related illness symptoms experienced over the past week. Participants will select one or more symptoms (or select 'none') from a list.

Time frame: Approximately three months

Heat Strain

The body's physiological response to heat stress. Core body temperature (degrees C) will be estimated using personal baseline temperature and continuous heart rate during work shifts on several days.

Time frame: Approximately three months

Secondary Outcomes

Pre/post Knowledge Assessment

Short set of multiple-choice questions based on key points addressed in the one-hour training on recognition, treatment, and prevention of heat-related illness.

Time frame: Approximately three months

Pre/post Supervisor Survey

Short set of interview questions to learn about heat safety practices and utilization of the HEAT awareness application for intervention group

Time frame: Approximately three months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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