# Backpack Hydration System Use Among Farmworkers

> **NIH ALLCDC K01** · EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $108,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Agriculture is one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States, including a disproportion risk of
death from heat-related illnesses (HRIs). Proper hydration mitigates HRI, yet farmworkers report limited access
to drinking water while working. The years 2016 and 2020 tied for the world’s hottest on record, and the rates
of the rates of HRI and death are on the rise. The overall purpose of this proposal is to learn how to
successfully design and implement a hydration intervention among Latino farmworkers. The specific aims of
this proposed mixed methods study are 1) using Michie’s Capabilities-Opportunities-Motivations (COM-B)
model, determine the individual, organizational, and system-based facilitators and barriers to the successful
adoption of backpack hydration systems among farmworkers, and 2) evaluate feasibility and preliminary
efficacy of backpack hydration systems on fluid intake, hydration status, and HRI self-reported symptoms of a
farmworker cohort. For Phase 1 and Phase 2, farmworker participants will be provided with a backpack
hydration system to be used for water intake while working. During Phase 1 focus group discussions will be
conducted with up to 60 farmworkers and 12 stakeholders. Phase 2 will provide feasibility and efficacy data
among 50 farmworkers. Hydration status will be measured using pre- and post-shift urine specific gravity
readings and HRI symptoms will be measured using a validated survey. Urine specimens and surveys will be
collected at three timepoints over a March-to-September growing season. This NIOSH Mentored Research
Scientist Development Award (K01) would support the Principal Investigator to meet the following career
development goals; 1) develop expertise in design, application, and evaluation of preventative workplace
interventions through implementation science, and 2) advance expertise in conducting community-based
participatory research (CBPR) to reduce the inequitable health risks among Latino outdoor workers. These
goals would be achieved through knowledge and skill obtainment in conducting implementation science and
CBPR, occupational culture and policy, and leadership and dissemination by leveraging senior mentorship, an
agromedicine institute, and an established community-university partnership, and local and national resources.
This work will set the foundation for a larger, in-depth study aimed at testing and evaluating interventions to
decrease HRI symptoms and dehydration among workers, contributing to fewer HRIs. Future studies will
continue to utilize implementation science and CBPR to develop innovative methodologies to promote safe and
healthy workplaces for workers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10864281
- **Project number:** 1K01OH012697-01
- **Recipient organization:** EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Elizabeth Mizelle
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** ALLCDC
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $108,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10864281

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10864281, Backpack Hydration System Use Among Farmworkers (1K01OH012697-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10864281. Licensed CC0.

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