Improving survey response formats for use with Latino construction workers

Purpose: To develop a valid hearing protection survey for use with Latino construction workers.

Background: Effective hearing loss prevention is needed for 1.4 million U.S. Latino construction workers. Survey instruments used for needs assessment have been developed for primarily non-Latino, English-speaking populations.

Methods: We evaluated a preliminary Spanish language version of a hearing protection survey as part of a pilot test of an interactive computer-based hearing protection training program. Eight Latino construction workers participated in a Spanish language focus group following participation in the program. Reactions to the survey response formats provided data to guide the researchers in developing the revised version of survey.

Results: There was a general desire to keep response scales simple and clear. Direct translations of a time-focused scale and a 6-point Likert scale were confusing to participants. In contrast, a numerical scale (1 – 100) depicted on the computer screen as a slider on a horizontal line was a success. Representative quotes found in the data will be presented.

Discussion: No assumptions can be made about the validity of response formats when adapting surveys for use with Latinos. Participants were able to articulate issues and suggest some improvements for response formats. The revised hearing protection survey will be pilot-tested with Spanish-speaking construction workers prior to implementation in a randomized intervention trial.