Association of Exposure to Cattle with Self-Reported History of TB Among Dairy Workers.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium bovis (bTB) is a potential health hazard to dairy workers. This study uses the One Health wholistic framework for examining bovine tuberculosis (TB) and its relationship to human health. This approach can help bridge surveillance data gaps and contribute to disease control and prevention programs for dairy farm workers, cattle, and the environment. The primary objective of this study was to compare the self-reported history of TB among dairy workers in Bailey County, Texas, with occupational categories of risk and exposure to TB. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dairy workers. Job positions were used as a proxy for exposure to cattle-high and medium/low. We employed bivariate analyses to examine differences between groups using both the chi-square test and the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Of the 293 dairy workers invited, 77.0% (n = 225) participated. No statistically significant associations were found between job categories and reported history of TB exposure. Workers in the high group were younger, Guatemalan males with lower levels of formal education, more likely to be single with no children, and cohabitating with coworkers compared with the medium/low group. CONCLUSION/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: Self-reported TB history among dairy workers is an imprecise measure of being previously diagnosed with TB. Dairy workers at risk for occupationally acquired TB could be tested for TB before employment and tested periodically thereafter, and more expeditiously treated if a positive test is obtained. Future studies should focus on the feasibility of offering on-farm health services, such as TB screening.

Association of Category of Cattle Exposure with Tuberculosis Knowledge among Dairy Workers in Bailey County, Texas.

Objective: To determine the knowledge of tuberculosis (TB) among dairy workers in Bailey County, Texas.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect 225 survey responses concerning knowledge of TB among dairy workers on 10 dairy farms in Bailey County, Texas. Subjects used iPad tablets to log responses to 15 demographic questions and a 17-item TB knowledge quiz, measured by: (1) TB characteristics, (2) TB transmission, (3) TB symptoms, (4) TB diagnosis, (5) TB treatment, and (6) bovine TB. A proxy for exposure, dairy workers were classified into categories of cattle exposure - high, medium, and low.Results: Relative to the medium/low group, workers in the high group tended to be younger (32.6 (SD 11.0)), Guatemalan (52.6%), K'iche' speaking (37.8%), males (89.1%) with less years living in the U.S. (10.8 [SD 12.5]) and lower levels of formal education completed (59.6% with no formal/elementary level). Overall, the average score was 7.1 (SD 4.9) out of 17 (41.8% out of 100.0%). Relative to one another, the medium/low group (8.0 (SD 4.6) out of 17) scored better than the high group (6.7 [SD 5.1] out of 17). No significant associations were found between the category of exposure and TB knowledge score.Conclusion: Deficiencies in TB knowledge were identified in all categories of exposure. TB training on dairy farms should include all measured tested in this study and should be administered to all workers regardless of the category of exposure.

Evaluation of Safety Management and Leadership Training Using Mobile Technologies among Logging Supervisors.

BACKGROUND: Logging is recognized as one of the most dangerous industries in the United States (US), ranking among those with the highest occupational injury and fatality rates. Although logging operations in the Southeastern US have lower rates of injuries and fatalities compared to other regions of the US, due in part to the use of large machinery to fell timber as opposed to chainsaw felling, safety hazards continue to persist. The hazards present in the logging cut sites in which loggers operate may result in worker injury, illness, or fatality. Our objective was to develop, deliver, and evaluate a safety management and leadership training among logging contractors and supervisors using mobile tablets as a personal learning environment. METHODS: A safety leadership and management training vignette was developed based on previously collected focus group needs assessment data. A non-random sample of 31 male logging supervisors received the safety leadership and management training on a mobile tablet. Kirkpatrick Levels 1, 2, and 3 training effectiveness evaluations were performed. RESULTS: A statistically significant large effect size suggests safety knowledge was gained among training participants when comparing post-test scores to pre-test scores (Level-2). Participants rated their training experience favorably (Level-1), and applied knowledge gained from the training throughout their weekly work activities three months after training (Level-3). CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest the utilization of mobile learning techniques can be an effective means to deliver safety management and leadership training content to logging contractors and supervisors. Future trainings should be linguistically and literacy-level appropriate, as well as comprehensive in nature, including meaningful and relevant content. Our observations support the use of mobile devices as just one component of a more comprehensive health and safety management program for workers in the logging industry.