RESUMO
Over 3 million migrant farm workers are employed in the United States. Many factors place them at risk for work-related disease and injury. Knowledge of workers' health issues can prepare medical-surgical nurses to anticipate and meet the needs of this underserved population.
Assuntos
Agricultura , Migrantes , Doenças dos Trabalhadores Agrícolas/epidemiologia , Doenças dos Trabalhadores Agrícolas/enfermagem , Doenças dos Trabalhadores Agrícolas/terapia , Humanos , Sistema Musculoesquelético/lesões , TraduçãoRESUMO
There are an estimated three million migrant and seasonal farmworkers (MSFW) in the United States. In addition to the inherent dangers of farm work, numerous factors place MSFW at even greater risk for work-related injuries. Little is known about how MSFW care for work-related injuries, and how the decision to seek professional care is made. A prospective survey using face-to-face structured interviews was used to explore the type and frequency of occupational injuries as well as self-care and health-care seeking practices of MSFW. Musculoskeletal injuries were the most commonly reported injuries, followed by injuries of the skin and chemical exposure. Self care with over-the-counter remedies was the predominant method of dealing with injuries, and, with the exception of chemical exposure, was found to be for the most part, appropriate. The reported use of alternative medicine or herbal remedies was low. Future research efforts should focus on ergonomic modifications and farmworker education to reduce or prevent musculoskeletal injuries. The number of reported chemical exposures and inappropriate treatment draw attention to the need for continued efforts for both primary prevention of exposure and optimal treatment once exposure occurs.
Assuntos
Agricultura , Emigrantes e Imigrantes , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Autocuidado/estatística & dados numéricos , Ferimentos e Lesões/etnologia , Adulto , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Masculino , México/etnologia , Michigan/epidemiologia , Saúde Ocupacional , Ferimentos e Lesões/epidemiologia , Ferimentos e Lesões/terapiaRESUMO
The purpose of this qualitative study was to broaden the context for understanding nurses' professional concerns as voiced through letters to the editor of the American Journal of Nursing from 1900 to 2005. Two issues from each year were randomly selected. Line-by-line analysis was used to code, categorize, and analyze the data. The following five themes emerged: self-care versus self-sacrifice; nursing's emphasis on holistic care; educational and professional preparation; nurse-physician relationships; and the image of the nurse. The recurrent nature of these themes has important implications for nursing education, clinical practice, leadership, and research.
