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- Title
Innovation at Work: Reader's Theater Influences the Health and Safety of a Vulnerable Working Population.
- Authors
Reed, Deborah B.
- Abstract
Background: Production agriculture suffers the highest worker fatality rates of any industry (Myers, Layne, Marsh, 2009) and the oldest workforce with an average age of 58.3 (USDA, 2014). Previous efforts to reduce rates among middle-aged and senior farmers have failed. Our cutting edge intervention is based on evidence from our previous research (Reed & Claunch, 2015) and is directly responsive to the farm community. The goal of this project is to change work behavior to improve health and prevent injury. Method: Working with Agriculture Extension, Commodity groups and Farm Safety Organizations, we develop theater that is tailored to the region and delivered by the farmers ("actors") during a dinner theater event. Couples (with persons age 45 and over) are recruited as 95% of America's farms are family operations. Three short plays focused on work health behaviors (such as stress, wearing seat belts on machinery, sunscreen and hearing protection) and consequences, supplemented by brief discussions led by the project leader, comprise the event. Evaluation of receptivity and subsequent behavior change is tracked through telephone interviews two weeks and two months post-event. Results: To date, 274 persons (mean age: 63 years) have participated across four theaters. Participants rated the event as highly realistic, enjoyable, and they reported that it helped them understand the interactions of aging and health and work injury. 57% reported at least one substantial change in their health or work behavior based on the information they received. Examples of changes included focusing on single tasks, fatigue prevention strategies, hydration, improved communication, and skin and hearing protection. Conclusions: This format promises to be effective for starting health behavior conversations among families, and for producing substantial behavior changes that can reduce illness and injury among a highly vulnerable work group. It is relatively inexpensive and can be tailored to specific topics and settings. The format may be applicable in other settings where role modeling and oral traditions are prominent, or among groups where low literacy is a barrier to most other interventions.
- Subjects
UNITED States; INDUSTRIAL safety; HEALTH; HEALTH behavior; PERFORMING arts; INFORMATION resources; PSYCHOLOGY of agricultural laborers
- Publication
Kentucky Nurse, 2017, Vol 65, Issue 2, p12
- ISSN
0742-8367
- Publication type
Article