Backpack Hydration System Use Among Farmworkers

PROJECT SUMMARY Agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, including a disproportion risk of death from heat-related illnesses (HRIs). Proper hydration mitigates HRI, yet farmworkers report limited access to drinking water while working. The years 2016 and 2020 tied for the world’s hottest on record, and the rates

of the rates of HRI and death are on the rise. The overall purpose of this proposal is to learn how to successfully design and implement a hydration intervention among Latino farmworkers. The specific aims of this proposed mixed methods study are 1) using Michie’s Capabilities-Opportunities-Motivations (COM-B)

model, determine the individual, organizational, and system-based facilitators and barriers to the successful adoption of backpack hydration systems among farmworkers, and 2) evaluate feasibility and preliminary efficacy of backpack hydration systems on fluid intake, hydration status, and HRI self-reported symptoms of a

farmworker cohort. For Phase 1 and Phase 2, farmworker participants will be provided with a backpack hydration system to be used for water intake while working. During Phase 1 focus group discussions will be conducted with up to 60 farmworkers and 12 stakeholders. Phase 2 will provide feasibility and efficacy data

among 50 farmworkers. Hydration status will be measured using pre- and post-shift urine specific gravity readings and HRI symptoms will be measured using a validated survey. Urine specimens and surveys will be collected at three timepoints over a March-to-September growing season. This NIOSH Mentored Research

Scientist Development Award (K01) would support the Principal Investigator to meet the following career development goals; 1) develop expertise in design, application, and evaluation of preventative workplace interventions through implementation science, and 2) advance expertise in conducting community-based

participatory research (CBPR) to reduce the inequitable health risks among Latino outdoor workers. These goals would be achieved through knowledge and skill obtainment in conducting implementation science and CBPR, occupational culture and policy, and leadership and dissemination by leveraging senior mentorship, an

agromedicine institute, and an established community-university partnership, and local and national resources. This work will set the foundation for a larger, in-depth study aimed at testing and evaluating interventions to decrease HRI symptoms and dehydration among workers, contributing to fewer HRIs. Future studies will

continue to utilize implementation science and CBPR to develop innovative methodologies to promote safe and healthy workplaces for workers.