Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)
Volume 124 Suppl 1, 2009, Pages 36-43

Ethnographic evaluation of a lay health promoter program to reduce occupational injuries among Latino poultry processing workers. (Article) (Open Access)

Marín A.* , Carrillo L. , Arcury T.A. , Grzywacz J.G. , Coates M.L. , Quandt S.A.
  • a Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, United States
  • b Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, United States
  • c Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, United States
  • d Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, United States
  • e Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, United States
  • f Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1063, United States

Abstract

We evaluated a lay health promoter program providing occupational health and safety education to immigrant Latino poultry processing workers in western North Carolina. While such programs are advocated for addressing the health education deficits of immigrant and disadvantaged populations, their application in occupational health has been limited to farmworkers. A community-university partnership recruited and trained promoters to deliver lessons on musculoskeletal injuries, slips and falls, and workers' rights to workers individually or in small groups in the community. Evaluation showed 841 workers received education during a 28-month period. Using ethnographic data, an evaluation showed that promoters' work led to changes in behavior and attitudes in the community. Promoters also reported substantial changes in self-esteem and independence. Promoters' supervisors reported challenges and strategies experienced by the promoters. Promoter programs in occupational health and safety are feasible approaches to supplement training provided in the workplace.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

cultural anthropology health promotion food industry methodology occupational disease human Health Behavior North Carolina Occupational Diseases Animals Community Health Aides health auxiliary ethnology Hispanic Americans animal United States Humans occupational accident Hispanic Emigrants and Immigrants Article manpower health education migration standard Anthropology, Cultural Accidents, Occupational Food-Processing Industry Poultry
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-69249213750&doi=10.1177%2f00333549091244S105&partnerID=40&md5=cd4840ded24210bfdb2273d355221514
DOI: 10.1177/00333549091244S105
ISSN: 00333549
Cited by: 21
Original Language: English