3227.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - Board 4

Abstract #8481

Assessment of sight and hearing protection use in high school vocational, industrial and technical education programs

John Michael Williams, MD, MPH and David H. Garabrant, MD, MPH. School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1223 Fairview Drive, Marshfield, WI 54449-1729, 715-384-0981, williajo@mfldclin.edu

The use of sight and hearing personal protective equipment (PPE) is essential in preventing injuries that can cause vision and hearing loss. High school vocational, technical and industrial (VTI) education programs use equipment that can cause these injuries. This study surveyed the use of PPE by 250 VTI students attending a large high school in central Wisconsin. An anonymous, written survey inquired about the actual use of PPE (response variable), as well as the types of activities performed, perceived hazards, level of knowledge about these hazards, attitudes regarding PPE use, factors influencing PPE use, safety education and history of eye injury or hearing loss (predictor variables). Positive, statistically significant associations were seen between the use of safety eyewear and the following: whether fellow students used it, the student’s desire to prevent eye injuries and if the student was concerned how he/she was perceived by fellow students when wearing it. The use of hearing protection was positively associated with whether others used it and if the student had ever undergone a hearing test. The use of hearing protection was negatively associated with whether the student had been taught about the use of eye and hearing protection or if the student lived on a farm. These relationships were also statistically significant. Positive peer pressure appeared to play the major role in determining PPE use in these students, and this should be recognized when deciding how to apportion and utilize resources to best protect students from eye injury and hearing loss.

Learning Objectives: "At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:

  1. Discuss the hazards that high school students are exposed to in vocational, technical and industrial education programs."
  2. Identify the factors that are positively and negatively associated with the use of safety eyewear and hearing protection."
  3. Understand the role that peer pressure may play in the use of safety eyewear and hearing protection in vocational, technical and industrial classrooms."
"During this session, faculty will discuss:
  1. Recent research regarding the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors regarding the use of personal protective equipment in high school vocational, technical and industrial classrooms."
  2. The use of a survey instrument designed to assess the attitudes, beliefs and behaviors of these students."
  3. The importance of peer pressure, both positive and negative, in the use of personal protective equipment by these students."

Keywords: Youth at Work, Behavioral Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA