Training and personal protection equipment use among hispanic farmworkers: a qualitative analysis
Open Access
Author:
George, Sienna Kelsey
Area of Honors:
Biobehavioral Health
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Shedra Amy Snipes, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Lori Anne Francis, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Theory of Planned Behavior pesticides behavior attitudes training knowledge
Abstract:
Objectives. Our overall objective was to explore factors associated with farmworkers’ knowledge, training, and their attitudes surrounding pesticide safety and PPE use
Methods. We used semi-structured interviews to review information on training and pesticide knowledge from 20 farmworkers living in the Yakima Valley in Washington State
Results. Analysis revealed four major themes about how farmworkers use PPE. Overall PPE use was low. Both farmworkers who receive and did not receive training feel they lack knowledge about pesticides. However, some of the analysis may show that among the few farmworkers who wore PPE and expressed knowledge, they learned pesticide information from work. Also, farmworkers’ personal experiences matter. Those who discussed being exposed to pesticides may be the most vulnerable, and discussed having little control, knowledge and training about pesticides. Farmworkers’ vulnerability may explain very low PPE use.
Conclusions. Future researchers should look further into the specific components of training programs that influence their PPE usage. The pesticide industry, as well as policy makers might take note of these findings to design better pesticide training programs to increase PPE use for farmworkers
