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Provision Increases Reported PPE Use for Mexican Immigrant Farmworkers: An mHealth Pilot Study
Shedra Amy Snipes1, Joshua M Smyth, Dennis Murphy
1Department of Biobehavioral Health (Dr Snipes, Dr Smyth, Mr Ishino); Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (Dr Murphy) and Department of Health Policy and Administration (Dr Miranda), Penn State University, State College, PA.
Objective:
Personal protective equipment (PPE) reduces pesticide exposures, but many farmworkers complain that it is difficult to obtain. We examined if PPE provision increased usage. We also delivered motivational messaging aimed to promote PPE use.
Methods:
First, we delivered a daily survey through a mobile phone app to assess PPE use. Farmworkers subsequently received a daily, individualized motivational message based on their PPE use and reported difficulties. PPE use was evaluated at baseline and at the close of the study.
Results:
PPE behaviors improved for gloves (P ≤ 0.01) and safety glasses (P ≤ 0.001). Use of long-sleeved shirts, hats, and long pants were already consistently used at baseline and did not exhibit significant change.
Conclusions:
Our findings demonstrate that PPE provision and delivery of motivational messaging through mobile phones may increase PPE usage for farmworkers.
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