264986 An Internet-based Tailored Hearing Protection Intervention among Firefighters

Sunday, October 28, 2012

OiSaeng Hong, PhD, RN, FAAN , School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Dal Lae Chin, PhD, RN , School of Nursing, Department of Community Health Systems, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Julia Buss, RN, MS , School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Brenda Eakin, MS , Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Background: Noise-induced hearing loss is a significant occupational injury for firefighters (FFs) exposed to intermittent noise on the job. It is important to educate FFs about using hearing protection devices whenever they are exposed to loud noise. Computer technology is a relatively new health education approach and can be useful for tailoring specific aspects of behavioral change training. The purpose of this study is to present the development process of an internet-based tailored intervention program, and assess its feasibility from firefighters' feedback.

Methods: The training programs were implemented for 372 FFs (mean age=44years, White=82%, male=95%) in three states (CA, IL, IN). Feasibility was evaluated by feedback through an internet-based survey.

Results: A multimedia internet-based training program was developed through a) determining program content and writing scripts, b) developing decision making algorithms for tailoring, c) graphic design, audio and video production, d) creating computer software and a database, and e) post-production quality control and pilot-testing. Participant feedback regarding the training has been very positive; they liked getting the training by computer (83%); the internet-based training program was well organized (97%), easy to use (97%), effective (98%) and held their interests (79%). Almost all (95%) would recommend this internet training program to other firefighters.

Conclusion: Interactive multimedia computer technology using the internet was a feasible mode of delivery of hearing protection intervention among FFs. Participants' favorable feedback strongly supports the continued utilization of this approach for designing and developing interventions to promote healthy behaviors.

Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Communication and informatics
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Occupational health and safety
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. To learn about development process of an internet-based tailored intervention program to improve firefighters’ use of hearing protection devices 2. To discuss feasibility of multimedia computer technology by using the internet 3. To discuss future intervention strategy to promote healthy behaviors

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Director of Occupational and Environmental Nursing Graduate Program within the Northern California Center for Occupational Environmental Health. My research interests include prevention of occupational injuries and diseases and health promotion in diverse workforce including construction workers. My sustained, interdisciplinary research on the prevention of occupational injuries and disease and health promotion has contributed to knowledge development, practice, and policy-making nationally and internationally through scholarly publications and presentations.
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.

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