Jemma Benson1, Emma Garrison2, Jonathan Dropkin3, Paul L Jenkins4. 1. Columbia University School of Medicine, New York, New York. 2. The New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, New York. 3. Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, Hofstra Northwell School of Medicine, Hofstra, New York. 4. Bassett Research Institute, Bassett Healthcare Network, Cooperstown, New York.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The original objective was to measure the impact of kneepads on musculoskeletal pain in migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs). Secondary analyses were conducted to quantify the extent to which response bias may have skewed the study's results. METHODS: Surveys were used to collect data on baseline pain and post-intervention pain, the amount of time participants spent wearing kneepads, and their overall ratings of the intervention. RESULTS: Participants did not experience significantly less pain with kneepads, and wore them for considerably less than the prescribed amount of time. However, subjects rated them very favorably. Given the strong suspicion of response bias, no firm conclusions could be drawn regarding the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Unique survey methodologies must be used with MSFWs, who tend to have low research literacy and are particularly susceptible to response bias. Objective study outcomes are particularly favorable in this population in order to minimize dependence on self-reported measures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:1112-1119, 2016.
BACKGROUND: The original objective was to measure the impact of kneepads on musculoskeletal pain in migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFWs). Secondary analyses were conducted to quantify the extent to which response bias may have skewed the study's results. METHODS: Surveys were used to collect data on baseline pain and post-intervention pain, the amount of time participants spent wearing kneepads, and their overall ratings of the intervention. RESULTS:Participants did not experience significantly less pain with kneepads, and wore them for considerably less than the prescribed amount of time. However, subjects rated them very favorably. Given the strong suspicion of response bias, no firm conclusions could be drawn regarding the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Unique survey methodologies must be used with MSFWs, who tend to have low research literacy and are particularly susceptible to response bias. Objective study outcomes are particularly favorable in this population in order to minimize dependence on self-reported measures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:1112-1119, 2016.
Authors: Francisco Iacobelli; Rachel F Adler; Diana Buitrago; Joanna Buscemi; Marya E Corden; Alejandra Perez-Tamayo; Frank J Penedo; Melinda Rodriguez; Betina R Yanez Journal: Design Health (Abingdon) Date: 2018-04-02