Cooling Interventions Among Agricultural Workers: Qualitative Field-Based Study

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Hisp Health Care Int
• Personal Author:
  Chicas, Roxana ; Xiuhtecutli, Nezahualcoyotl ; Dickman, Nathan Eric ; Flocks, Joan ; Scammell, Madeleine K. ; Steenland, Kyle ; Hertzberg, Vicki ; McCauley, Linda
• Description:
  Introduction:
  
  Agricultural workers perform intense labor outside in direct sunlight and in humid environmental conditions exposing them to a high risk of heat-related illness (HRI). To implement effective cooling interventions in occupational settings, it is important to consider workers’ perceptions. To date, an analysis of agricultural workers’ experience and perception of cooling devices used in the field while working has not been published.
  
  Methods:
  
  Qualitatively data from 61 agricultural workers provided details of their perceptions and experiences with cooling interventions.
  
  Results:
  
  The participants in the bandana group reported the bandana was practical to use at work and did not interfere with their work routine. Cooling vest group participants agreed that the vest was effective at cooling them, but the practicality of using the vest at work was met with mixed reviews.
  
  Conclusion:
  
  The findings of this qualitative study support and extend existing research regarding personal cooling and heat prevention research interventions with vulnerable occupational groups. Personal cooling gear was well received and utilized by the agricultural workers. Sustainable heat prevention studies and governmental protection strategies for occupational heat stress are urgently needed to reduce the risk of heat-related morbidity, mortality, and projected climate change health impacts on outdoor workers.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Climate Change Farmers Heat Stress Disorders Humans Qualitative Research
• Keywords:
  Agricultural Workers Cooling Interventions Heat-related Illness Nursing
• Source:
  Hisp Health Care Int. 19(3):174-181
• Pubmed ID:
  33601922
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC8363586
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  T42 OH008673/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/ ; T42OH008438/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/ ; T32 DK007656/DK/NIDDK NIH HHSUnited States/ ; T42OH008673/ACL/ACL HHSUnited States/ ; R01 OH011782/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/ ; T42 OH008438/OH/NIOSH CDC HHSUnited States/
• Volume:
  19
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20064771
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b4607bf00e702e66822d32c4cb3bfd897fe92b88378e488594c4ada04fe57da61427744c17a2a1476439e98db96ca0beb3606baf0bc7045193282b473c193e65
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/108870/cdc_108870_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 84.88 KB ]