title: Evaluation of a community-based participatory farmworker eye health intervention in the "black dirt" region of New York state.
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 non-significant 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.
authors: New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare Network Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, New York.
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Earle-Richardson
authors: Lynae
authors: L
authors: Wyckoff
authors: Marilyn
authors: M
authors: Carrasquillo
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Scribani
authors: Paul
authors: P
authors: Jenkins
authors: John
authors: J
authors: May
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D004391:Dust; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058447:Eye Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D004391:Dust; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride
keywords: agriculture; community-based participatory research; evaluation; eye health; farmworker; migrant; occupational; participatory intervention development