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

Abstract #116241

Rachelle Travers, BS¹, Jenevie Dorsey, MSHEd², Jacki Phillips, BS¹, Diane S. Rohlman³, Joan E. Rothlein, PhD³, and Linda A. McCauley, PhD². (1) Oregon Child Development Coalition, P.O. Box 2780, Wilsonville, OR 97070, (2) School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 420 Guardian Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-898-9054, jenevie@nursing.upenn.edu, (3) Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Sciences University, 3181 Sam Jackson Park Rd.L606, Portland, OR 97201

The risk of pesticide exposure among farmworkers and their children is a major concern in environmental and public health. Culturally-appropriate methods of risk communication are needed. In this paper we present the results of a community based research study in which university scientists and community organizations have worked collaboratively for the past nine years. The project involved research on exposure pathway models including pesticide residue analysis, work practices, home characteristics and biological markers of exposure in migrant families. In addition, neurobehavioral outcomes in exposed children and adults were assessed. A major goal of the project was to develop health education materials that could lead to a reduction of exposure among this population. To foster the aim of community engagement, a community document revealing the findings of all aspects of this research program has been developed. This paper will describe community engagement in the process of developing risk messages for their community. Community input provided us with a framework for the publication's overall suitability, readability, and cultural appropriateness. Illustrations of messages of research findings that are culturally relevant to this population will be shown. This educational tool is targeted for the participants of the research study as well as the entire migrant farm worker community, other agricultural workers and outreach workers. It represents the accumulation and last stage of the research project that aims to disseminate research information that is culturally relevant to the community.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss research designs that include community participation
• Identify risk communication messages that have been altered to be culturally appropriate
• Articulate methods of engaging the community in risk communication

Keywords: Community Education, Pesticide Exposure

Related Web page: www.ocdc.net/

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.