Supporting statement B

Formative assessment of the information needs to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders and falls among aging retail workers

Supporting Statement-Section B

OMB No. 0920-1154

Program Official/Project Officers

Harpriya Kaur, Ph.D. James Grosch, Ph.D.

Epidemiologist Research Psychologist

NIOSH/CDC NIOSH/CDC

 

Contact Information Contact Information

1090 Tusculum Avenue 1090 Tusculum Avenue

MS C-24, Cincinnati, Ohio-45226 MS C-24, Cincinnati, Ohio-45226

Phone: 513-533-8372 Phone: 513-533-8167

Email: wdo6@cdc.gov Email: jkg9@cdc.gov

Contents

1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods 3

2. Procedures for Collection of Information 3

3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with No Response 4

4. Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken 4

5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data 5

Section B- Data Collection Procedures

1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods

Convenience Sampling: Contractor will facilitate focus group sessions with employers and workers about work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and slips, trips and falls (STFs) in the retail sector related to manual materials handling. The contractor will recruit potential participants from pre-existing lists of eligible individuals. No new personally identifiable information (PII) will be collected. In order to participate in the focus group, individuals recruited for the focus groups will need to meet specific eligibility criteria. The eligibility will be based on worker’s age group, trade/occupation, length of employment, current employment status, how many people are employed at the workplace, amount of weight lifted per day, and if they have experienced joint or muscle pain because of work.

The number of respondents who participate in each focus group session will not exceed nine (9) individuals. The contractor will make every effort to ensure that at least 7-9 individuals are available for each session or group. The contractor will determine whether the respondents meet the qualifications specified in the approved recruitment plan. The six focus groups (7 to 9 participants each) will consist of:

• Older (55 years and older) workers in small businesses (<50 employees)

• Young and middle-aged workers (less than 55 years and old) in small businesses

• Older workers (55 years and older) in large businesses (≥50 employees)

• Young and middle-aged workers (less than 55 years and old) in larger businesses

• Retail trade employers/managers in large businesses

• Retail trade employers/managers in small businesses

2. Procedures for Collection of Information

In-person focus groups will be conducted by the contractor at their own facility or office. Each focus group will consist up to 9 participants. All Participants will be informed that participation in the focus group is completely voluntary and informed consent will be obtained from each individual prior to participation. Participants will be asked questions about the extent to which NIOSH products should contain information on the following topics: 1. Knowledge about and experience with WMSDs (recent experience with muscle and joint pain, cause of the injury, situations where they are more likely to experience muscle and joint pain); 2. Safety and prevention perceptions (things they do to prevent pain, barriers faced when trying to avoid pain, do they get enough training and information to prevent muscle and joint pain, what guidelines around work organization are important to preventing injuries); 3. Aging in the workplace (changes that they experience that affect how they do their job, perceptions or stereotypes associated with age); and 4. Information needs and recommendations (where do they get information about muscle and joint pain injuries and how to prevent them, what information or training would help them most to avoid muscle and joint pain because of work). The focus group questions will be open-ended. Please see attachments for actual questions.

The contractor will guide the discussion with additional questions as needed.

3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with No Response

The contractor representatives will meet with NIOSH researchers regarding the purpose of this data collection effort and general procedures for conducting the focus groups. This meeting will assist the contractor in responding to any concerns expressed by prospective participants, as well as clarifying the purpose and meaning of the questions that will be used for the focus groups. Based on previous experience of the research team it is anticipated approximately 70% of the individuals approached by the contractor will agree to participate in this study, and of those that agree to participate, virtually all will complete the entire focus group interview. No follow up with participants after the focus groups are completed is required for this data collection. Also, the contractor will provide remuneration of up to $40 as a token of appreciation to encourage their participation and convey appreciation.

4. Test of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken

The questionnaires for the focus groups were developed through extensive discussion with experts at CDC/NIOSH who have experience in the retail sector. NIOSH experts and external partners were asked to be “pilot respondents” and were sent the draft questionnaires. They were asked to answer the questions hypothetically and to note any questions or instructions that were confusing. They were also asked which questions should be deleted and what potential questions might be added. Pilot participant comments were gathered and reviewed by the research team and a number of changes to the questionnaire were incorporated into the final version. Following the pilot, several questions were eliminated to ensure that the average focus group session would not exceed 90 minutes. The final set of questionnaires was reviewed and approved by NIOSH experts and research staff prior to submission to OMB.

The contractor will audio-record all focus groups and transcribe the audio recording of each focus group session. The contractor will conduct a qualitative analysis of the data from the focus group sessions and develop a summary report of key findings focused on prevention, information needs, experiences with WMSDs, and role of age. The report will extract common themes that reflect the topics, controls, and recommendations that stakeholders will likely find relevant to reducing WMSDs and STFs among aging retail workers. No statistical analysis of the focus group data will be conducted.

5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data

This information collection request does not employ statistical methods. The project team will consult with the contractor on the qualitative analysis, which will examine themes or major topics mentioned by focus group participants.

Consultation will be provided by the following individuals currently employed at CDC/NIOSH:

Harpriya Kaur, Ph.D.; Epidemiologist: 513-533-8372; wdo6@cdc.gov

James Grosch, Ph.D.; Research Psychologist: 513-533-8167; jkg9@cdc.gov

Juliann Scholl, Ph.D.; Research Social Scientist: 513-533-8178; xhn3@cdc.gov

Bermang Ortiz, B.S.; Public health Advisor: 513-533-8344; xkh5@cdc.gov

Outside Consultant:

Gwen Fisher, Ph.D.; Associate Professor of Psychology: 970-491-2837; gwen.fisher@colstate.edu

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