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

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.