Effectiveness of participatory training for the promotion of work-related health and safety among Korean farmers

Abstract

This study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of participatory training for promoting farmer’s health and reducing agricultural work-related injuries. Candidates for this study included 595 farmers in 8 rural villages of South Korea. The one-day course participatory training was administered to 217 (36.5%) farmers and included an action-checklist, a good example presentation, and group discussion. The follow-up visit to participants’ houses and farms was performed after 1 to 3 months. A direct interview survey was administered pre- and post-trainings. The total number of proposed action plans for the improvement of working condition was 620. It was observed that 61.5% of action plans (72.2% of short term and 41.3% of long term plans) were completely implemented. In regards to health and safety indices, the proportion of current smokers was reduced from 29.8% to 25.3% in the group that underwent training. The pesticide intoxication was reduced from 16.1% to 4.8% in participants that underwent training. However, the agricultural injury rate was unchanged in both groups. This study reports significant beneficial effects of participatory training in the agriculture sector in Korea.

Effects of a Worksite-Based Self-Management Program in Traditional Retail Market Workers: Longitudinal Associations with Metabolic Parameters

“…The compliance with the action plan showed continuance, with compliance rates of 61.4%, 57.6%, and 53.2% within 6 months after the WBSM program in first, second, and third year, respectively. This coincided with previous studies demonstrating that compliance with an action plan was maintained for periods of 3 and 6 months after an intervention [ 18 , 21 , 25 ]. It was obvious that the MetS action checklist played an important role for traditional retail market workers to create plans by themselves and promoted successful improvement outcomes in managing metabolic risk factors and lifestyle habits [ 12 , 15 , 25 ].…”

“…Participants were asked to use the MetS action checklist to identify actions for improvement and propose practical health improvements applicable in a range of specific traditional retail market worksites [ 15 ]. Counseling was delivered to help participants recognize solutions through self-reliance and plan practical actions [ 25 ]. At the end of the third month and the sixth month, respectively, counselors supported and evaluated implemented improvement actions [ 12 ].…”

Outcomes for facilitators of workplace environment improvement applying a participatory approach

“…Based on these findings, it is suggested to examine the characteristics of the facilitators’ outcomes in the use of participatory approaches. Among the previous studies concerning the roles of the facilitators, several studies have already reported the situations in which workplace safety and health issues were resolved as results of the improvements . However, few studies have focused on the underlying aspects such as outcomes resulting from the use of a participatory approach .…”

“…In previous studies, the approach was identified as an effective and practical method for promoting comprehensive risk management involving both workers and employers . However, many articles about the outcomes of workplace environment improvement considered only the results of improvements, such as whether a safer and healthier work environment was achieved or OSH issues were addressed in participatory programs . In contrast, as seen in the Community‐Based Participatory Research (CBPR), findings in effective methods for solving community's health issues have been accumulated and the multifaceted evaluation systems are developed .…”

Assessing Risks Awareness in Operating Rooms among Post-Graduate Students: A Pilot Study

“…Workers' risk awareness is the first step in ensuring workplace safety and health [4]. Hence, risk perception and active worker participation in the planning, execution, and evaluation of actual intervention techniques are of great importance [5,6].…”