Heat-Related Knowledge, Perceptions, and Needs 1
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Running head: HEAT-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS, AND NEEDS 1 Assessing Heat-Related Knowledge, Perceptions, and Needs among Emergency Oil Spill Cleanup Responders A dissertation submitted to the Graduate School of the University of Cincinnati in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Department of Health Promotion and Education Of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services September 26, 2017 by Brenda L. Jacklitsch M.S. Texas A&M University, 2007 B.S. Texas A&M University, 2003 Committee Chair: Keith A. King, Ph.D., MCHES Committee Members: Rebecca A. Vidourek, Ph.D., CHES Ashley L. Merianos, Ph.D., CHES HEAT-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS, AND NEEDS 2 ABSTRACT AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION FOR THE DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN HEALTH PROMOTION AND EDUCATION, PRESENTED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI, CINCINNATI, OH TITLE: Assessing Heat-Related Knowledge, Perceptions, and Needs among Emergency Oil Spill Cleanup Responders DOCTORAL COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Dr. Keith A. King (chair), Dr. Rebecca A. Vidourek, and Dr. Ashley L. Merianos This dissertation consists of two studies. Study one examined the heat-related knowledge, perceived severity, self-efficacy, and barriers among oil spill cleanup responders. Study two examined the heat-related training and educational material needs among oil spill cleanup responders. Study One Abstract Background: Occupational exposure to heat and hot environments can result in illness, injury, and death among workers, particularly those in outdoor environments such as emergency oil spill cleanup responders. Purpose: This study assessed heat-related knowledge, perceptions, and barriers among emergency oil spill cleanup responders. Methods: A total of 65 emergency oil spill cleanup responders completed an online survey which examined occupational heat stress during oil spill cleanup activities. Results: Of the respondents, most had 25 or more years’ experience (52.4%), worked for companies with 19 or fewer employees (53.5%), were not classified as safety and health professionals (67.7%), had a Bachelor’s degree or higher (73.3%), HEAT-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS, AND NEEDS 3 and worked in the northern or central regions (50.8%) of the United States. While most respondents were knowledgeable of heat stress, the items in which respondents were least knowledgeable were: identifying the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke (12.5% responded correctly), the appropriate use of salt tablets (62.5% responded correctly), the effects of air conditioning on acclimatization (70.3% responded correctly), and previous heat-related illness (HRI) as a risk factor (73.4% responded correctly). For knowledge of heat stress, there was a significant difference in the employment classification scores for non-safety and health professionals (M = 5.70, SD = 1.081) and safety and health professionals (M = 6.62, SD = 1.024); t = -3.257, p = .002). Respondents reported that they tended to perceive that heat stress can be severe (M = 4.45, SD = 0.711) and that HRI’s may affect workers (M = 4.03, SD = 0.712). Regarding self-efficacy, most respondents felt confident in contacting emergency medical services for HRI (M = 4.45, SD = 0.589), recognizing signs and symptoms of HRI (M = 4.27, SD = 0.623), and knowing what to do if a coworker became ill (M = 4.06, SD = 1.037). Discussion: The difference in heat stress knowledge between those with professional safety and health experience and those without experience is confirmatory, but not surprising. Oil spill cleanup responders are at high risk for HRI, injury, and death and those responsible for their training need to be knowledgeable about all the aspects of occupational heat stress. More research is needed to determine further information about knowledge, perceptions, self-efficacy, and barriers at the non-safety and health professional, worker level. Study Two Abstract Background: Heat-related illness, injury, and death among emergency oil spill cleanup responders can be prevented through training and educational materials. Purpose: This study HEAT-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS, AND NEEDS 4 assessed heat-related training and educational materials currently used and desired by oil spill cleanup responders. Methods: A needs assessment was completed by 65 emergency oil spill cleanup responders regarding their occupational heat-related experiences and training needs. Results: Oil spill cleanup responders reported participating on average in 37.52 (SD = 92.249) oil spill cleanup activities per year. Most reported experiencing additional heat-related illness (HRI) risk factors, such as, high temperatures (> 80°F [71.9%], > 90°F [67.2%], > 100°F [56.3%]) and humidity (85.9%), and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing ensembles (96.9%), respirators (71.9%), and personal flotation devices (78.1%). Many reported experiencing symptoms of HRI (profuse sweating [41.5%], headache [40.0%], weakness [27.7%], decreased urine output [26.2%], high body temperatures [26.2%]), and 11% reported experiencing heat exhaustion. While multiple prevention controls were reported, only one in four (26.2%) reported using an acclimatization plan. The most common training and education received included just-in-time training (68.9%) and printed materials (50.8%). The most desirable future training and education products were smartphone or tablet applications (61.0%), printed materials (51.2%), and online training (46.3%). Discussion: Findings from this study may be beneficial to safety and health professionals and health educators, particularly those interested in developing heat stress training and educational materials for oil spill cleanup responders. HEAT-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS, AND NEEDS 5 HEAT-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS, AND NEEDS 6 Acknowledgements I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Keith King for his years of guidance and encouragement as I made my way through this long, twisting road of coursework and dissertation. Even with my skeptical nature, he was always able to ease my mind when research did not always go as planned. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Rebecca Vidourek and Dr. Ashley Merianos who provided valuable insight and motivation throughout the process. To my colleagues from outside academia, I would like to say a special thank you. Many of you assisted with making contacts, providing review, and simple reassurance: Tim Bauerle, Christine Branch, Sherry Berrer, David Caruso, Tom Cunningham, Barb Dames, Lisa Delaney, Chad Dowell, Scott Earnest, Behzad Esmaili, Cherie Estill, Eric Esswein, Renee Funk, John Gibbins, Rebecca Guerin, Ryan Hill, Laura Hodson, Naomi Hudson, Joselito Ignacio, Max Kiefer, Edward Leblanc, T.J. Lentz, Jennifer Lincoln, Kathleen MacMahon, Lauralynn McKernan, Todd Niemeier, Pranav Rane, Dale Sandler, Kelly Schnapp, Paul Schulte, Jill Shugart, Tristan Victoroff, Jon Williams, and Kristin Yeoman. Finally, I would like to thank my family, who always encouraged my goals. Especially my husband, Gino, who saw the stresses of graduate school, work, and new motherhood take their toll on me; but who still loved me and took on more than his share so I could keep going. And to my “PhD babies”, you always gave me a reason to smile. You taught me that life is bigger than a single moment of academic or career frustration. And you provided me a new reason to keep my life well-balanced, so that I can always take in the small, joy-filled moments. HEAT-RELATED KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTIONS, AND NEEDS 7 Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................... 2 Study One Abstract ................................................................................................................. 2 Study Two Abstract ................................................................................................................ 3 Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... 6 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. 9 Study One: Heat-Related Knowledge, Perceived Severity, Self-efficacy, and Barriers among Emergency Oil Spill Cleanup Responders .................................................................................... 10 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 11 Study Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 16 Methods..................................................................................................................................... 18 Participants ............................................................................................................................ 18 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................................... 18 Procedures ............................................................................................................................. 19 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 20 Results ......................................................................................................................................