Oregon indigenous farmworkers: results of promotor intervention on pesticide knowledge and organophosphate metabolite levels.
OBJECTIVE
To examine changes in health beliefs, pesticide safety knowledge, and biomarkers of pesticide exposure in indigenous farmworkers who received enhanced pesticide safety training compared with those receiving the standard training.


METHODS
Farmworkers in Oregon were randomly assigned to either a promotors pesticide safety training program or a standard video-based training. Spot urine samples were analyzed for dialkyl phosphate urinary metabolites. Pre-/postintervention questionnaires were used to measure pesticide safety knowledge, health beliefs, and work practices.


RESULTS
Baseline to follow-up improvements in total pesticide knowledge scores were higher in the promotor group than in the standard video group. Pairwise differences in mean concentrations of dialkyl phosphate metabolite levels showed declines from baseline to follow-up for both intervention groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Results showed reductions in pesticide exposure in indigenous-language speaking farmworkers who received enhanced pesticide safety training.
From the Nell Hodgson School of Nursing (Drs McCauley, Runkle, and Williams and Ms Semple), Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.; Oregon Law Center (Dr Samples), Hillsboro, Ore.; Oregon Law Center (Dr Shadbeh), Portland, Ore.; and Nutrition Sciences Department of the College of Nursing and Health Professions (Dr Muniz), Drexel University, Philadelphia, Penn.
Linda
L
McCauley
Jennifer D
JD
Runkle
Julie
J
Samples
Bryan
B
Williams
Juan F
JF
Muniz
Marie
M
Semple
Nargess
N
Shadbeh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000652:urine; D000383:Agriculture; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards*; D009922:Oregon; D010755:Organophosphates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000652:urine*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000652:urine*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D010755:Organophosphates; D010575:Pesticides