Application of handheld devices to field research among underserved construction worker populations: a workplace health assessment pilot study

Environmental Health

Methodology

David J Lee¹  Alberto J Caban-Martinez¹  Tainya C Clarke¹  Evelyn P Davila¹  Lora E Fleming¹ 

[1] Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA;

关键词: Construction Worker;    Health Promotion Intervention;    Work Population;    Workplace Health Promotion;    Workplace Health Promotion Program;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1476-069X-10-27

 received in 2010-07-19, accepted in 2011-04-01,  发布年份 2011

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundNovel low-cost approaches for conducting rapid health assessments and health promotion interventions among underserved worker groups are needed. Recruitment and participation of construction workers is particularly challenging due to their often transient periods of work at any one construction site, and their limited time during work to participate in such studies. In the present methodology report, we discuss the experience, advantages and disadvantages of using touch screen handheld devices for the collection of field data from a largely underserved worker population.MethodsIn March 2010, a workplace-centered pilot study to examine the feasibility of using a handheld personal device for the rapid health assessment of construction workers in two South Florida Construction sites was undertaken. A 45-item survey instrument, including health-related questions on tobacco exposure, workplace safety practices, musculoskeletal disorders and health symptoms, was programmed onto Apple iPod Touch® devices. Language sensitive (English and Spanish) recruitment scripts, verbal consent forms, and survey questions were all preloaded onto the handheld devices. The experience (time to survey administration and capital cost) of the handheld administration method was recorded and compared to approaches available in the extant literature.ResultsConstruction workers were very receptive to the recruitment, interview and assessment processes conducted through the handheld devices. Some workers even welcomed the opportunity to complete the questionnaire themselves using the touch screen handheld device. A list of advantages and disadvantages emerged from this experience that may be useful in the rapid health assessment of underserved populations working in a variety of environmental and occupational health settings.ConclusionsHandheld devices, which are relatively inexpensive, minimize survey response error, and allow for easy storage of data. These technological research modalities are useful in the collection and assessment of environmental and occupational research data.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Caban-Martinez et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2011