229391 Recruiting a community-based sample to study occupational injuries in Latino poultry processing workers: Approach and challenges

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 : 9:15 AM - 9:30 AM

Antonio Marín, MA , Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Thomas A. Arcury, PhD , Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Lourdes Carrillo, BS , HOLA of Wilkes County, Wilkesboro, NC
Dana Mora, MPH , Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston Salem, NC
Sara A. Quandt, PhD , Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Poultry processing workers in the Southeast are primarily Latino immigrants. While these workers are known to experience high rates of work-related injuries and illnesses, documenting the prevalence of these is difficult due to limited access to workplaces. This study recruited a sample of Latino poultry processing workers and a comparison sample of Latino manual workers (total n=552; equal numbers of men and women) to study occupational injuries and illnesses among these workers. This paper will describe the sampling and recruitment methods used; challenges and solutions will be highlighted. Community-based sampling was used, based on community surveillance followed by mapping of residential enclaves and dispersed residences. Culturally congruent and known community members, hired and supervised by a community-based organization, were assigned a random list of residences to screen, recruit, and interview in their homes. They were then asked by the interviewer to go to a data collection clinic to undergo a physical examination. Approximately 13% of residences could not be screened in multiple visits. Of those screened, 54% had an eligible worker. Of the eligible participants identified, 28% refused to participate or they could not be reached after the screening. Of those who completed the interview, 38% did not attend the data collection clinic. Barriers to clinic attendance were addressed by providing health screening services for study participants and family members, childcare, and a family meal. Our experience suggests that workers can be recruited from the community to participate in occupational health research when access to the workplace is limited.

Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
1.Discuss strategies used to recruit Latino immigrant workers 2.Evaluate challenges encountered during the recruitment of Latino immigrant workers 3.Explain the importance of properly approaching immigrant cohorts to participate in research

Keywords: Occupational Health, Immigrants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified because I have been conducting research with Latino workers for 10 years, and I have a Masters degree.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.