Oregon indigenous farmworkers: results of promotor intervention on pesticide knowledge and organophosphate metabolite levels.

OBJECTIVES

To examine changes in health beliefs, pesticide safety knowledge, and biomarkers of pesticide exposure in indigenous farmworkers who received enhanced pesticide safety training compared with those receiving the standard training.

METHODS

Farmworkers in Oregon were randomly assigned to either a promotors pesticide safety training program or a standard video-based training. Spot urine samples were analyzed for dialkyl phosphate urinary metabolites. Pre-/postintervention questionnaires were used to measure pesticide safety knowledge, health beliefs, and work practices.

RESULTS

Baseline to follow-up improvements in total pesticide knowledge scores were higher in the promotor group than in the standard video group. Pairwise differences in mean concentrations of dialkyl phosphate metabolite levels showed declines from baseline to follow-up for both intervention groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Results showed reductions in pesticide exposure in indigenous-language speaking farmworkers who received enhanced pesticide safety training.