@article {Mancini830, author = {G Mancini and A Baldasseroni and G Laffi and S Curti and S Mattioli and F S Violante}, title = {Prevention of work related eye injuries: long term assessment of the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention among metal workers}, volume = {62}, number = {12}, pages = {830--835}, year = {2005}, doi = {10.1136/oem.2004.019570}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Background: Systematic assessments of the effectiveness of interventions to prevent work related eye injuries are needed. Aim: To investigate the long term effectiveness of a multicomponent prevention campaign. Methods: The campaign (conducted in collaboration with the local Employers{\textquoteright} Association and Trade Unions) targeted all 237 metal-ware factories in the district of Imola, Italy. Based on preliminary inspections, the main intervention included distribution to all factories of specific educational brochures and broadcasting/publication of television/radio programmes and local newspaper articles containing expert advice on the subject. This was followed by a four year {\textquotedblleft}post-intervention reinforcement{\textquotedblright} period of unannounced official inspections. Main outcome measures analysed were eye injury rates (versus non-eye injury rates) among metal workers during {\textquotedblleft}pre-intervention{\textquotedblright} (1988{\textendash}90), {\textquotedblleft}peri-intervention{\textquotedblright} (1991{\textendash}92), {\textquotedblleft}post-intervention reinforcement{\textquotedblright} (1993{\textendash}96), {\textquotedblleft}late post-intervention{\textquotedblright} (1997{\textendash}2000), and {\textquotedblleft}very late post-intervention{\textquotedblright} (2001{\textendash}03) periods with respect to two comparison sectors (construction and wood/ceramics). Results: A Poisson regression in which the eye injury rates were modelled for each sector, period, and interaction, adjusting for non-eye injury rates, was chosen. The periods did not by themselves determine an overall reduction in eye injuries. The period/sector interaction terms were related to significant reductions for the metal sector when crossed with the {\textquotedblleft}post-intervention reinforcement{\textquotedblright} (IRR = 0.77, 95\% CI 0.61 to 0.97; \% decline = 23.4), the {\textquotedblleft}late post-intervention{\textquotedblright} (IRR = 0.63, 95\% CI 0.50 to 0.79; \% decline = 37.4), and the {\textquotedblleft}very late post-intervention{\textquotedblright} (IRR =  0.58, 95\% CI 0.43 to 0.77; \% decline = 42.4) periods, suggesting a sustained reduction in eye injury risk following the main intervention. Conclusion: Results suggest that a carefully coordinated, extensive, multicomponent intervention can lead to lasting reductions in the burden of eye injuries.}, issn = {1351-0711}, URL = {https://oem.bmj.com/content/62/12/830}, eprint = {https://oem.bmj.com/content/62/12/830.full.pdf}, journal = {Occupational and Environmental Medicine} }