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Adapting Citizen Science to Improve Health in an Occupational Setting: Preliminary Results of a Qualitative Study

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  • Mandy van den Berge

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Gerben Hulsegge

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Sustainable Productivity and Employability, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, TNO, 2316 ZL Leiden, The Netherlands)

  • Henk F. van der Molen

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Karin I. Proper

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands
    Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands)

  • H. Roeline W. Pasman

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Lea den Broeder

    (Centre for Nutrition, Prevention and Health Services, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
    Faculty of Health, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, 1105 BD Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Sietske J. Tamminga

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Carel T. J. Hulshof

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Coronel Institute of Occupational Health, Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Allard J. van der Beek

    (Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 BT Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Health interventions often do not reach blue-collar workers. Citizen science engages target groups in the design and execution of health interventions, but has not yet been applied in an occupational setting. This preliminary study determines barriers and facilitators and feasible elements for citizen science to improve the health of blue-collar workers. The study was conducted in a terminal and construction company by performing semi-structured interviews and focus groups with employees, company management and experts. Interviews and focus groups were analyzed using thematic content analysis and the elements were pilot tested. Workers considered work pressure, work location and several personal factors as barriers for citizen science at the worksite, and (lack of) social support and (negative) social culture both as barriers and facilitators. Citizen science to improve health at the worksite may include three elements: (1) knowledge and skills, (2) social support and social culture, and (3) awareness about lifestyle behaviors. Strategies to implement these elements may be company specific. This study provides relevant indications on feasible elements and strategies for citizen science to improve health at the worksite. Further studies on the feasibility of citizen science in other settings, including a larger and more heterogeneous sample of blue-collar workers, are necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Mandy van den Berge & Gerben Hulsegge & Henk F. van der Molen & Karin I. Proper & H. Roeline W. Pasman & Lea den Broeder & Sietske J. Tamminga & Carel T. J. Hulshof & Allard J. van der Beek, 2020. "Adapting Citizen Science to Improve Health in an Occupational Setting: Preliminary Results of a Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:14:p:4917-:d:381703
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Heikkilä, K. & Fransson, E.I. & Nyberg, S.T. & Zins, M. & Westerlund, H. & Westerholm, P. & Virtanen, M. & Vahtera, J. & Suominen, S. & Steptoe, A. & Salo, P. & Pentti, J. & Oksanen, T. & Nordin, M. &, 2013. "Job strain and health-related lifestyle: Findings from an individual-participant meta-analysis of 118 000 working adults," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(11), pages 2090-2097.
    2. Josine M. Stuber & Cédric N. H. Middel & Joreintje D. Mackenbach & Joline W. J. Beulens & Jeroen Lakerveld, 2020. "Successfully Recruiting Adults with a Low Socioeconomic Position into Community-Based Lifestyle Programs: A Qualitative Study on Expert Opinions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Helen Lingard & Michelle Turner, 2015. "Improving the health of male, blue collar construction workers: a social ecological perspective," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 18-34, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sophie van der Feltz & Henk F. van der Molen & Lisa Lelie & Carel T. J. Hulshof & Allard J. van der Beek & Karin I. Proper, 2022. "Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Leisure Time Physical Exercise after a Citizen Science-Based Worksite Health Promotion Program for Blue-Collar Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.

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