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Biomedical subjects

Cora Roelofs

Publications and source records attributed to Cora Roelofs.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Results of a union-based smoking cessation intervention for apprentice iron workers (United States).

OBJECTIVE: Blue-collar workers are more likely to smoke, smoke more heavily, and have less success in quitting compared to white-collar workers, and this occupational gap is growing over time. Effective smoking cessation interventions among blue-collar workers are needed to address growing class-based disparities. METHODS: We used a pre-post study design to test feasibility and effect size of a smoking cessation trial in a union apprenticeship training program for iron workers (n = 337). The 4-month intervention drew upon a health promotion-health protection model for smoking cessation among blue-collar workers. We conducted pairwise analyses to assess pre-post intervention differences in 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence measured 1 month after intervention was completed. Additional secondary outcomes, including smoking frequency, intensity, intention and self-efficacy to quit, were also assessed. RESULTS: Baseline smoking prevalence was 41%. We observed a 19.4% post-intervention quit rate among baseline smokers. There were statistically significant positive changes pre- and post-intervention in intention to quit smoking, self-efficacy to quit, and a reduction in the number of days smoked. Participation in pro-active intervention components was associated with a three-fold (OR = 3.0, 1.15, 7.83) increase in the likelihood of quitting. Overall, participation in intervention components was low. CONCLUSIONS: Labor union apprenticeship programs represent a promising venue for smoking cessation interventions, particularly those that draw upon a health promotion-health protection model.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Using qualitative methods to evaluate and make change in the work environment.

The work environment is a particularly fertile field for the use of qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews and open-ended surveys. These methods are well suited to the task of unearthing complex authentic perspectives that in the work environment context are so often influenced by social and political forces. The results of such methods can be especially powerful in enhancing our understanding of why change to better protect workers' health and safety does or does not happen and to persuade policy makers of the importance of positive change.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Assessment of occupational safety and health programs in small businesses.

BACKGROUND: Occupational safety and health (OSH) programs are a strategy for protecting workers' health, yet there are few peer-reviewed reports on methods for assessing them, or on the prevalent characteristics of OSH programs, especially in small businesses. METHODS: We adapted an occupational safety and health administration (OSHA) survey instrument to assess: management commitment and employee participation, workplace analysis, hazard prevention and control, and education and training. This was supplemented by a series of open-ended questions. We administered the survey in 25 small worksites. RESULTS: Scores for each element ranged widely, with distribution of most scores being positively skewed. Barriers to addressing OSH included lack of time and in-house expertise, and production pressures. External agents, including corporate parents, liability insurers, and OSHA, played an important role in motivating OSH programs. CONCLUSIONS: Small businesses were able to mount comprehensive programs, however, they may rely on outside resources for this task. Being small may not be a barrier to meeting the requirements of an OSHA program management rule.

Commerce↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A new channel for health promotion: building trade unions.

PURPOSE: Labor unions are a largely unevaluated channel for health promotion interventions for working class populations, who are at increased risk for smoking and poor diet. We conducted qualitative and quantitative research to understand the meaning and function of union membership in workers' lives and applied this information to health promotion intervention design. METHODS: Cross-sectional data included a survey conducted with a nationally representative sample of unionized construction workers (n = 1109; 44% response rate), and 16 focus groups (n = 88) conducted in multiple regions around the country. RESULTS: The vast majority of survey respondents held strongly positive views of their union. Focus group findings revealed the meaning of the union in members' daily lives, how members view information from the union, and their perceptions of the union's limitations. CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide a compelling rationale for considering unions as a channel for health promotion interventions.

Adult↗