Factors Influencing Farmers's Use of Hearing Protectors

农民暴露在来自设备和牲畜的有害噪音中，与非农业年龄组相比，他们患噪音性听力损失的比例更高。虽然使用听力保护装置（HPDs）可以有效地预防噪声性听力损失（NIHL），但农民对其的使用却很低。本研究项目的目的是通过增加hpd的使用来预防农民的NIHL。早期的一项研究确定了hpd使用的预测因素，但没有使用随机样本，因此限制了普遍性。拟议的研究将使用类似的方法，随机选择农民群体样本，以确定影响农民使用HPDs的因素。本研究的具体目标是：1)确定农民使用HPD的预测因素；以及2)描述农民在a)成功成为HPD用户，b)影响他人使用HPD以及c)克服使用HPD的障碍方面的个人经历。本研究将分两个阶段进行。首先，将使用描述性相关设计与代表性样本来确定与农民使用听力保护相关的因素。这一阶段的研究包括通过电话管理调查工具开发和测试农民使用HPD的假设模型。其次，对农民进行一系列有目的的访谈，从农民那里获得影响农民使用HPDs的方法。农业发展联盟统计处、生产者区域组织和农业发展联盟之间的伙伴关系将是实现研究目标的有效办法。研究结果将用于为未来的研究奠定基础，旨在开发和测试基于预测因子的干预措施，旨在增加HPD的使用并降低农民中NIHL的发病率。

Farmers are exposed to hazardous noise from equipment and livestock, and experience higher rates of noise-induced hearing loss than their non-farming age cohorts. Although use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) is effective in preventing noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), their use among farmers is low. The purpose of this program of research is to prevent NIHL in farmers through increasing use of HPDs. An earlier study identified predictors of use of HPDs but did not use a random sample, thus limiting generalizability. The proposed study will use similar methods with a randomly selected, population-based sample of farmers to identify factors that affect farmers' use of HPDs. The specific aims to be addressed in this study are to 1) Identify the predictors of HPD use among farmers; and 2) Describe farmers' personal experiences in a) successfully becoming HPD users, b) influencing others' use of HPDs, and c) overcoming barriers to the use of HPDs. This study will be conducted in two phases. First, a descriptive correlational design will be used with a representative sample to identify factors related to farmers' use of hearing protection. This phase of the study involves developing and testing a hypothesized model of HPD use among farmers through telephone administration of a survey instrument. Second, a series of interviews with a purposive sample of farmers will gain input from farmers about ways to influence farmers' use of HPDs. A partnership of the UDSA Statistics Service, regional organizations of producers, and NDSU will provide an effective approach to accomplish study aims. Findings will be used to form the foundation for future studies aimed at developing and testing a predictors-based intervention designed to increase HPD use and to decrease rates of NIHL among farmers.