Irvin VL, Kile ML, Lucas-Woodruff C, Cude C, Anderson L, Baylog K, Hovell MF, Choun S, Kaplan RM. An overview of the Be Well Home Health Navigator Program to reduce contaminants in well water: Design and methods.
Contemp Clin Trials 2024;
140:107497. [PMID:
38471641 PMCID:
PMC11065571 DOI:
10.1016/j.cct.2024.107497]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The Be Well Home Health Navigator Program is a prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) implemented to compare a community health navigator program to usual care program to reduce contaminants in drinking water.
DESIGN AND SETTING
This 4-year two-armed RCT will involve well owners in Oregon that have private drinking water wells that contain arsenic, nitrate, or lead above maximum contaminant levels.
INTERVENTION
The intervention leverages the trusted relationship between Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Community Educators and rural well owners to educate, assist and motivate to make decisions and set actionable steps to mitigate water contamination. In this study, CES will serve as home health navigators to deliver: 1) individualized feedback, 2) positive reinforcement, 3) teach-back moments, 4) decision-making skills, 5) navigation to resources, 6) self-management, and 7) repeated contact for shaping and maintenance of behaviors. Usual care includes information only with no access to individual meetings with CES.
MEASURABLE OUTCOMES
Pre-specified primary outcomes include 1) adoption of treatment to reduce exposure to arsenic, nitrate, or lead in water which may include switching to bottled water and 2) engagement with well stewardship behaviors assessed at baseline, and post-6 and 12 months follow-up. Water quality will be measured at baseline and 12-month through household water tests. Secondary outcomes include increased health literacy scores and risk perception assessed at baseline and 6-month surveys.
IMPLICATIONS
The results will demonstrate the efficacy of a domestic well water safety program to disseminate to other CES organizations.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT05395663.
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