A Multi-Level Approach to Heat-Related Illness Prevention in Agricultural Workers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The project's primary aim is to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level heat prevention approach in reducing adverse heat health effects in outdoor agricultural workers The secondary aims are to: Test the effectiveness of an individual-level training component designed to reduce adverse heat health effects in outdoor agricultural workers Evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace supervisor-level heat awareness application intended to support supervisor decisions to reduce the risk of workers experiencing adverse heat health effects

Official Title
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A Multi-Level Approach to Heat-Related Illness Prevention in Agricultural Workers

Conditions
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Heat Stress Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Heat Education and Awareness Tools


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Speak English or Spanish, live in same dwelling and work at same farm for the season, farm where participant works must agree to collaborate Exclusion Criteria:

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: The study is a parallel, comparison, group intervention study to evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-level Heat Education and Awareness Tools (HEAT) intervention, consisting of worker training and a supervisor heat awareness application, on reducing adverse heat health effects in agricultural workers across a growing season.
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: HEAT intervention group<br>Workers in the intervention group will receive the HEAT training, and supervisors in the intervention group will receive the HEAT awareness application and training on how to use it. | Other: Heat Education and Awareness Tools<br>* HEAT training will be delivered to agricultural workers by research staff in this study in the spring. HEAT training uses interactive approaches to engage participants and posters with visuals. Training covers types of heat-related illness and treatments, risk factors, appropriate clothing and hydration, and keeping cool in the home and community. The HEAT awareness application was developed in collaboration with Washington State University's AgWeatherNet Program to notify supervisors signed up for the service about hot weather conditions that might increase the risk for adverse health effects for workers. The HEAT awareness application is designed to allow subscribers to select weather stations of interest and view current heat indices as well as maximum daily heat indices forecasted over the following week. This information is coupled with information about health effects and prevention of adverse heat health effects. Materials are provided in English and Spanish.<br>|
| No Intervention: Comparison group<br>The comparison group will not be offered HEAT trainings or the HEAT awareness application. They will be offered an alternative training on another topic. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Heat-related Illness Symptoms | Heat symptoms will be assessed using a short survey conducted in Spanish or English that includes questions about heat-related illness symptoms experienced over the past week. Participants will select one or more symptoms (or select 'none') from a list. | Approximately three months | 
| Heat Strain | The body's physiological response to heat stress. Core body temperature (degrees C) will be estimated using personal baseline temperature and continuous heart rate during work shifts on several days. | Approximately three months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pre/post Knowledge Assessment | Short set of multiple-choice questions based on key points addressed in the one-hour training on recognition, treatment, and prevention of heat-related illness. | Approximately three months | 
| Pre/post Supervisor Survey | Short set of interview questions to learn about heat safety practices and utilization of the HEAT awareness application for intervention group | Approximately three months |