title: Educational intervention among farmers in a community health care setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Farmers are at increased risk of developing work-related respiratory diseases including asthma, but little is known about their occupational health and safety (OHS) knowledge and exposure prevention practices. Educational interventions may improve knowledge and practice related to prevention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the feasibility of an educational intervention for farmers in a community health centre setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a pilot study. Farmers were recruited by the community health centre and completed a questionnaire on symptoms, OHS knowledge and exposure prevention practices. The intervention group received education on work-related asthma and exposure control strategies, and was offered spirometry and respirator fit testing. All subjects were asked to repeat the questionnaire 6 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 68 study participants of whom 38 formed the intervention group. At baseline, almost 60% of farmers reported having received OHS training and were familiar with material safety data sheets (MSDSs); fewer (approximately 40%) reported knowledge of OHS legislation and availability of MSDSs. Approximately, two-thirds of subjects reported using respiratory protection. The response rate for repeating the questionnaire was 76% in the intervention group and 77% in the controls. Among the intervention subjects, statistically significant increases were observed in reported safety training, familiarity and availability of MSDSs and knowledge of OHS legislation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Gaps in OHS knowledge were observed. The educational intervention on OHS knowledge and exposure prevention practices in the community health centre setting was feasible. Larger, more-controlled studies should be undertaken as this study suggests a positive effect on OHS knowledge and prevention practices.
authors.affiliation: Dalla Lana School of Public Health and the Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto, ON, Canada. joannej.kim@mail.utoronto.ca
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Arrandale
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kudla
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mardell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lougheed
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Holness
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000193:education*; D059366:Asthma, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000193:education*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D012134:Respiratory Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires