Using Protection Motivation Theory and formative research to guide the development of an intervention to increase adherence to the North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

5064.0: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 - 9:42 AM

Abstract #109191

Sato Ashida, MM¹, Catherine A. Heaney, PhD, MPH², J.R. Wilkins III, BCE, DrPH¹, Kathleen M. Koechlin, RN, MPH, PhD¹, and Jennifer M. Kmet¹. (1) School of Public Health, The Ohio State University, B-107 Starling-Loving Hall, 320 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210-1240, 614-293-8255, ashida.2@osu.edu, (2) Department of Psychology and Program in Human Biology, Stanford University, Jordan Hall 424, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA 94305

In 2001, 22,648 children aged 20 or younger were injured on U.S. farms; most of them occurring to youth in farm households. In 1999, the North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT) was developed to assist farm families in assigning farm chores safely to children between the ages of 7 and 16. In order for the Guidelines to be effective in reducing agricultural injuries among children, farm families must understand and follow the Guidelines.

Well-defined and validated theories can bring tremendous advantages to the development and refinement of an intervention program in order to enhance its effectiveness. Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) has been used and tested in various settings. This theory identifies the factors that influence how individuals respond to a message about potential hazards or threats. PMT suggests that in order to enhance adherence to the NAGCAT among farm families, a message needs to strengthen their sense of susceptibility to serious injuries and strengthen their sense of efficacy, i.e. that they can follow the guidelines and that following the guidelines will reduce the risk of injury among their children.

This presentation will introduce educational materials that were developed for an intervention research study to enhance adherence to and evaluate the effectiveness of the NAGCAT. The materials reflect the concepts of PMT and were developed and revised based on information obtained through formative research (focus groups and interviews/pilot testing with the target population). Examples of how theory and formative research were used to develop this intervention will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, session participants will be able to

1. Identify the factors that influence the adherence to guidelines among adults in farming household.
2. Discuss how theories and formative research can be used to develop and refine intervention programs.
3. Apply Protection Motivation Theory to develop intervention programs.

Keywords: Agricultural Work Safety, Intervention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Moving OSH from Theory to Practice

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA