Water insecurity among seasonal agriculture workers: perspectives from Spanish professionals.

BACKGROUND: Migrant seasonal agricultural workers face conditions of material vulnerability such as inadequate housing difficulties prevent access to running water supplies. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of professionals involved in the care and support of seasonal migrant agricultural workers, as it relates to water access and water consumption and their impact on these workers' health, in a context of COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory and descriptive study was conducted in 2021 as part of a larger research project, based on 63 personal semi-structured interviews with professionals who provided support to seasonal migrant agricultural workers in three Spanish autonomous regions. COREQ checklist was used for reporting. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and imported into ATLAS.ti-9 for an inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: The results have been structured into two main themes: (1) Accessing and obtaining water; and (2) Health problems related to water consumption. Seasonal migrant agricultural workers experience barriers to obtaining safe water for hygiene, cleaning, food preparation and drinking. The implementation of regulations to reduce COVID-19 transmission resulted in improved hygiene levels in the migrants' quarters, including access to safe drinking water. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that water insecurity experienced by migrant seasonal agricultural workers in Spain results from their poor living conditions and causes health problems related to a lack of hygiene and the use of unsafe water. Sustainable solutions are needed beyond the pandemic in order to provide migrant workers with adequate living conditions and ensure their water needs are fulfilled.

Effects of a workplace-based exercise program on shoulder pain and function in fruit workers: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder pain affects millions of workers worldwide and is considered one of the leading causes of absenteeism and presenteeism. Therefore, using exercises in the work environment emerges as a strategy to prevent or reduce shoulder pain. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a workplace-based exercise program on shoulder pain and function in fruit workers. METHODS: This was an 8-week parallel two-arm randomized controlled trial. Forty-four fruit workers who reported chronic shoulder pain were randomized to an Experimental Group (EG) or Control Group (CG). The EG was submitted to a program of resistance and stretching exercises for eight weeks, twice a week. The CG received a booklet with muscle stretching and mobility exercises. The primary outcome was shoulder pain intensity; the secondary outcomes were Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) and perceived global effect. RESULTS: Both groups showed reductions in pain intensity EG: 4.26 (95% CI 2.78-5.74) and CG: 3.74 (95% CI 1.98-5.50) points. The SPADI results showed an average reduction of 17.76 (CI 95% 3.10-32.43) for the EG and 18.39 (CI 95% 3.66-33.13) for the CG. The mean value of the perceived global effect for the CG was 3.45±2.01, and for the EG, the mean was 4.13±1.24. No differences were observed between groups in any outcome analyzed. CONCLUSION: Both groups showed significant changes in the analyzed outcomes. However, the workplace-based exercise program was not superior to the exercise booklet.

Prevalência de distúrbios osteomusculares relacionadosao trabalho em agricultores do Oeste do Paraná / Prevalence of work-related osteomuscular disordersin farmers of western Paraná

Os distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho (DORT) podem afetar articulações, músculos, tendões, ligamentos e nervos periféricos e são comuns na agricultura devido à sobrecarga de trabalho, esforços excessivos e repetitivos e adoção de posturas inadequadas para a realização das atividades. O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar a prevalência de DORT, a intensidade e características da dor, além de descrever as categorias e ferramentas de trabalho de agricultores da Região Oeste do Paraná. Foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal com uma amostra representativa dos agricultores associados ao sindicato da região. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se um questionário sociodemográfico, um formulário sobre categorias e ferramentas de trabalho, a Escala Visual Analógica de dor, o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares e o questionário de McGill para caracterização da dor. Participaram do estudo 144 agricultores, com predomínio do sexo masculino (63,89%) e faixa etária entre 18 e 47 anos (73,61%). A prevalência de DORT nos agricultores foi de 100% e as regiões mais acometidas foram as partes inferior e superior das costas com 59,72% e 43,75% respectivamente. A intensidade da dor foi moderada em 50,69% e do tipo enjoada em 89,58% dos participantes. A atividade de cultivo de grãos está presente em 57,64% dos indivíduos e o uso de motosserra e maquinário agrícola foram as ferramentas mais citadas durante o labor. Os achados apontam a necessidade urgente de intervenção terapêutica e preventiva aos trabalhadores e contribuem ao avanço científico da área. Além de tratar os DORT, mostram-se imprescindíveis adaptações ergonômicas no trabalho dos agricultores.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) can affect joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and peripheral nerves and are common in agriculture due to work overload, excessive and repetitive efforts and the adoption of inappropriate postures to perform activities. The objective of this study is to present the prevalence of WRMD, the intensity and characteristics of pain, in addition to describing the categories and work tools of farmers in the western region of Paraná. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out with a representative sample of farmers associated with the worker ́s union in the region. For data collection, we used a sociodemographic questionnaire, a form on categories and work tools, the visual analogue pain scale, the Nordic questionnaire on musculoskeletal symptoms and the McGill questionnaire for pain characterization. A total of 144 farmers participated in the study, with a predominance of males (63.89%) aged between 18 and 47 years old (73.61%). The prevalence of WRMDs in farmers was 100% and the most affected body regions were the lower and upper back with 59.72% and 43.75% respectively. Pain intensity was moderate in 50.69% and nausea type in 89.58% of participants. Grain cultivation activity was present in 57.64% of individuals and the use of chainsaws and agricultural machinery were the most cited tools used during work. The findings point to the urgent need for therapeutic and preventive intervention to these land workers and can contribute to the scientific advancement of the area. Besides treating WRMDs, ergonomic adaptations in the work of farmers are essential.

Association Between Ergonomic Burden Assessed Using 20-Item Agricultural Work-Related Ergonomic Risk Questionnaire and Shoulder, Low Back, and Leg Pain in Korean Farmers.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the agricultural ergonomic burden in Korean farmers and to analyze its correlation with musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: In total, 1001 farmers (525 females and 476 males; mean age, 59.6±7.5years) who owned or rented a farm and belonged to an agricultural cooperative unit were recruited. Ergonomic burdens were assessed using a 20-item Agricultural Work-related Ergonomic Risk Questionnaire (20 agricultural works). The presence of musculoskeletal pain (shoulder, low back, and leg/foot), Farm Stressor Inventory, subjective stress index, and agricultural workload (low, moderate, somewhat hard, or hard) were collected using structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Factor analysis of the Agricultural Work-related Ergonomic Risk Questionnaire revealed a four-factor solution: neck and upper limb, trunk and push - pull, machine and heavy lifting, and repetitive trauma. Cronbach's alpha was greater than 0.65. For 18 of the 20 items, there was a significant association with the Farm Stressor Inventory, subjective stress index, and agricultural workload. The most frequent ergonomic burdens were squatting (51.2%), highly repetitive wrist movements (53.5%), shoulder flexion at 45-90° (51.2%), and trunk flexion or twisting at≥45° (48.8%). Ergonomic burdens were significantly different in 13 items between sexes. The musculoskeletal pain was associated with increased agricultural burdens in 10 items in male farmers and 14 items in female farmers. CONCLUSION: Increased agricultural ergonomic burdens were associated with musculoskeletal pain. Ergonomic burden showed different patterns between male and female farmers, with female farmers appearing to be more affected by ergonomic burden than male farmers.

Association between the time of physical laboral activities and leisure over shoulder pain in fruitculture workers: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Fruitculture workers are exposed to shoulder pain disorders due to long working times in overhead activities. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the association between the time of physical work and leisure activities over the perception of shoulder pain intensity in fruit growing workers. METHODS: This is a descriptive and correlational cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 180 fruit-growing workers. Multivariable logistic regression was used, with an estimate of the Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. The dependent variable: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (0-10 points), was categorized as low and high, with cutoff points of NPRS > 3 and NPRS > 4, and was associated with the independent variables (level of physical activity, personal, labour and psychosocial). RESULTS: Workers which are insufficiently active in leisure time are more likely to report high-intensity shoulder pain, NPRS > 3 (OR: 2.39; p = 0.049) and NPRS > 4 (OR: 2.85; p = 0.036). In addition, working time in overhead activities is a risk factor for high-intensity pain for NPRS > 3 and NPRS > 4 (OR = 1.01; p < 0.001). Underweight and normal-weight workers were less likely to report shoulder pain in NPRS > 3 (OR = 0.35; p = 0.020) and in NPRS > 4 (OR = 0.20; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Fruit-growing workers had a high prevalence of severe shoulder pain. In addition, workers who are insufficiently active at leisure, overweight and obese are more likely to report severe pain. It was observed that overhead tasks increase the chances of reporting high-intensity shoulder pain among workers.

The Health of Migrant Agricultural Workers in Europe: A Scoping Review.

Agriculture is a niche market for migrant workers, and one of the sectors with the highest rates of accidents, deaths and work-related health problems. To review and synthesize existing literature on the health conditions of international migrant agricultural workers in Europe. A scoping review of scientific literature published until March 2021 was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, WoS and OpenGrey, following Arksey & O'Malley's theoretical framework where 5894 references were retrieved and screened. Nineteen articles were selected, reviewed and synthetized. The country with the highest number of studies published (n = 9) was Spain. The design of the studies was mainly cross-sectional (n = 13). The main health problems identified were: lower back pain and other musculoskeletal problems, dermatitis, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, anxiety, stress, depression and barriers to access healthcare services. Migrant agricultural workers are a neglected population with conditions of vulnerability and precariousness, physical and mental health problems and poor working conditions. Interventions to reduce or eliminate language, cultural and administrative barriers to ensure access to healthcare services are needed, as well as designing a common European framework to protect the rights of migrant agricultural workers and their families.

Presenteeism among fruit farm workers in Northeast Brazil: cross-sectional study.

The scientific literature about presenteeism among farm workers is scarce. This study estimated the prevalence of and factors associated with presenteeism among paid fruit farm workers. A cross-sectional study investigated 340 paid employees of both sexes, aged 18 years or above, who worked during the 2019 irrigated fruit harvest in the municipality of Petrolina, Northeast Brazil. Information about sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle, general health status, occupational characteristics, interpersonal work aspects, and the work environment's structural characteristics was collected in a structured questionnaire. Presenteeism was established when participants reported working one or more days during the previous season despite feeling ill or when injured. Cox regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios adjusted by sex, area of residence (urban or rural), employment contract (permanent or seasonal), satisfaction with management, participation in workplace decision-making, availability of on-site healthcare facilities, and on-site availability of sunscreen. The prevalence of presenteeism during the previous season was high: 58.2%. In the final multivariate model, the adjusted prevalence ratio was higher (≥1.20) among female workers (1.42), workers dissatisfied with management (1.28), and those for whom sunscreen was not available on site (1.61). The prevalence of presenteeism was high and associated with personal, work organizational, and workplace resources characteristics.

Advancing the Health of Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in the United States: Identifying Gaps in the Existing Literature, 2021.

There are profound health inequities for agricultural workers. We sought to assess the literature on migrant and seasonal farmworker health with an eye toward health promotion interventions, special populations, use of community health workers (CHWs), and technology. We conducted a systematic mapping review by searching five databases in March 2021. Using quantitative content analysis after establishing interrater reliability, we coded titles and abstracts to assess 13 topics and six characteristics of the research such as its focus on health promotion, use of technology, and inclusion of CHWs. We identified 1,083 records. Just 8.2% of records described or evaluated a health promotion effort to intervene in farmworker well-being and even fewer (4.2%) examined unique populations of farmworkers such as indigenous farmworkers (n = 11) or sexual minority farmworkers (n = 1). A small body of literature focused on the role of CHWs or promotores most frequently described their role in implementing health interventions. The literature on farmworker health has gaps regarding health promotion interventions, special populations, and integration of CHWs into research projects. We offer suggestions to fill in identified gaps in the literature.

Occupational health and safety in agriculture. A systematic review / Salud y seguridad ocupacional en la agricultura. Revisión sistemática

Abstract Introduction: The prevalence of occupational diseases in the agricultural sector is higher than in other industries, since agricultural workers are at higher risk of exposure to different chemicals and pesticides, and are more prone to occupational accidents. Objective: To conduct a review of recent literature on occupational health and risk in agriculture. Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, SciencieDirect and Scopus using the following search strategy: type of articles: original research papers; publication language: English; publication period: 2006-2016; search terms: "agricultural health", "agrarian health", "risk factors", "epidemiology", "causality" and "occupational", used in different combinations ("AND" and "OR"). Results: The search yielded 350 articles, of which 102 met the inclusion criteria. Moreover, 5 articles were found in grey literature sources and included in the final analysis. Most research on this topic has been conducted in the United States, which produced 91% (97/107) of the articles included in the review. Conclusions: Most studies on agricultural health focused primarily on the harmful effects of occupational exposure to agrochemicals and pesticides, and the consequences of occupational accidents. However, since more than 90% of these studies come from USA, a more comprehensive approach to agricultural health is required, since what is reported here may be far from the reality of other regions, especially Latin America.

Resumen Introducción. En el sector agrícola la prevalencia de enfermedades profesionales es más alta que en otras industrias, ya que los agricultores, debido a las actividades que deben realizar, tienen un mayor riesgo de exposición a diferentes químicos y pesticidas, y son más propensos a sufrir accidentes laborales. Objetivo. Realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre salud y riesgo ocupacional en el sector agrícola. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura en PubMed, SciencieDirect y Scopus. Se utilizó la siguiente estrategia de búsqueda: tipo de artículos: investigaciones originales; idioma: inglés; periodo de publicación: 2006-2016; términos de búsqueda: "agricultural health", "agrarian health", "risk factors", "epidemiology", "causality" y "occupational", usados en diferentes combinaciones ("AND" y "OR"). Resultados. La búsqueda arrojó 350 artículos, de los cuales 102 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Además, se agregaron 5 artículos encontrados en fuentes de literatura gris. El país en el que más se ha investigado sobre este tema es EE. UU., ya que produjo el 91% (97/107) de los artículos incluidos. Conclusiones. La mayoría de estudios se centró en los efectos de la exposición ocupacional a químicos y pesticidas y las consecuencias de los accidentes laborales; sin embargo, ya que más del 90% de estos proviene de EE. UU., se requiere una discusión más integral sobre la salud en la agricultura, pues lo reportado aquí puede distar mucho de la realidad de otras regiones, especialmente de Latinoamérica.

The home air in agriculture pediatric intervention (HAPI) trial: Rationale and methods.

BACKGROUND: Data addressing air quality effects on children with asthma in rural U.S. communities are rare. Our community engaged research partnership previously demonstrated associations between neighborhood NH3 and ambient PM2.5 and asthma in the agricultural lower Yakima Valley of Washington. As a next step, the partnership desired an intervention approach to address concerns about pediatric asthma in this largely Latino immigrant, farm worker community. OBJECTIVE: The Home Air in Agriculture Pediatric Intervention (HAPI) sought to examine the effectiveness of enrichment of an existing asthma education program with portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners designed to reduce PM2.5 and NH3. We investigated the effect of this enriched approach on these exposures and asthma health measures. DESIGN: We randomized children with poorly controlled asthma to a control arm (current asthma education program) or an intervention arm (current asthma education program + placement of two indoor air cleaners in the family's home). Outcomes included (1) 14-day integrated samples of indoor air contaminants (PM2.5 and NH3) at baseline and one-year follow-up and (2) child asthma health metrics at baseline, midpoint (4-6 months) and one-year follow-up. These included the Asthma Control Test, symptoms days, clinical utilization, oral corticosteroid use, pulmonary function, fractional exhaled nitric oxide, and urinary leukotriene E4 concentration. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first randomized HEPA cleaner intervention designed to assess NH3 as well as PM2.5 and to evaluate health outcomes of children with asthma in an agricultural region.

Investigation and response to an outbreak of leptospirosis among raspberry workers in Australia, 2018.

BACKGROUND: In 2018, an outbreak of leptospirosis was identified among raspberry workers from a mixed-berry farm in New South Wales, Australia. Initial testing had not revealed a cause, but eventually leptospirosis was detected via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Further serological testing detected Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Arborea, of which rodents are the predominant reservoir. Leptospirosis is rare in Australia, with outbreaks usually related to flooding. We conducted an investigation to identify risk factors for infection, to inform control measures. METHODS: Cases were detected through laboratory notifications, hospital-based syndromic surveillance, awareness-raising among farm employees and clinician alerts. Confirmed cases had a four-fold rise in antibody titre or single titre ≥400 on microscopic agglutination test, and a positive IgM. Probable cases had a positive Leptospira PCR or IgM, and possible cases had a clinically compatible illness. We conducted a case-control study among raspberry workers on the farm and compared reported exposures between cases and seronegative controls. We assessed environmental risks on-site and tested rodents for leptospirosis. RESULTS: We identified 84 cases over a 5-month period (50 confirmed, 19 probable and 15 possible). Compared with controls, cases were less likely to wear gloves and more recently employed. Cases also more commonly reported always having scratched hands, likely from the thorns on raspberry plants. We observed evidence of rodent activity around raspberry plants and three of thirteen trapped mice tested positive for Leptospira Arborea. Control measures included enhanced glove use, doxycycline prophylaxis and rodent control. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest known outbreak of leptospirosis in Australia. Workers were likely exposed through scratches inflicted during harvesting, which became contaminated with environmental leptospires from mice. Leptospirosis should be considered an occupational risk for raspberry workers, requiring protective measures. Chemoprophylaxis may assist in controlling outbreaks. PCR assists in the early diagnosis and detection of leptospirosis and should be included in surveillance case definitions.

The Concept, Status Quo and Forensic Pathology of Karoshi.

ABSTRACT: "Karoshi" originates from Japan's economic take-off period in the 1960s and 1970s. It is generally believed that overwork lead to the accumulation of fatigue, which triggers the outbreak of potential diseases, and results in sudden death. Karoshi causes great harm to both the community and families because it occurs primarily in 30 to 60 year old young adults. Japan put Karoshi into the category of industrial injury for the first time in 2001 and started to undertake a series of studies in the sociological and pathological fields. However, there is a tremendous gap in the forensic pathological diagnosis domain. In China, research on Karoshi started from the 1990s and is closely related to the reform and opening up policy as well as economic development. According to the incomplete statistics, 600 thousand people die from overwork each year in China, the highest in the world. Karoshi has become one of the most serious social problems in China at the present stage, thus a systematic study in the sociology and forensic pathology fields is urgently required. This paper summarizes the past and present status of Karoshi, and puts forward the problems that need attention during the judicial expertise of Karoshi from forensic pathology perspective.

Risk factors for chronic kidney disease of non-traditional causes: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the potential associations between chronic kidney disease of uncertain or non-traditional etiology (CKDnT) and agrochemicals, heat stress, heavy metals, and other factors identified in the literature in any region of the world and at any time. METHODS: This was a systematic review of the most frequent exposures suspected to be possible causes of CKDnT. A search was conducted of PubMed, LILACS, World Wide Science electronic databases, among other sources. Only medium- and high-quality studies were included. The synthesis of evidence included a narrative synthesis, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. RESULTS: Four systematic reviews and 61 primary studies were included. Results of the meta-analysis suggest that exposure to agrochemicals and working in agriculture increase the risk of CKDnT, but this only reached significance for working in agriculture. When cross-sectional studies were excluded, agrochemical exposure became significant. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in the effect sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the existing evidence and the precautionary principle, it is important to implement preventive measures to mitigate the damage caused by CKDnT to both agricultural workers and their communities (i.e., improvement of working conditions, cautious management of agrochemicals, etc.). More high-quality research is needed to measure impact and to build the evidence base.

The Concept, Status Quo and Forensic Pathology of Karoshi / 法医学杂志

"Karoshi" originates from Japan's economic take-off period in the 1960s and 1970s. It is generally believed that overwork lead to the accumulation of fatigue, which triggers the outbreak of potential diseases, and results in sudden death. Karoshi causes great harm to both the community and families because it occurs primarily in 30 to 60 year old young adults. Japan put Karoshi into the category of industrial injury for the first time in 2001 and started to undertake a series of studies in the sociological and pathological fields. However, there is a tremendous gap in the forensic pathological diagnosis domain. In China, research on Karoshi started from the 1990s and is closely related to the reform and opening up policy as well as economic development. According to the incomplete statistics, 600 thousand people die from overwork each year in China, the highest in the world. Karoshi has become one of the most serious social problems in China at the present stage, thus a systematic study in the sociology and forensic pathology fields is urgently required. This paper summarizes the past and present status of Karoshi, and puts forward the problems that need attention during the judicial expertise of Karoshi from forensic pathology perspective.

Entre la finca, la fábrica y la casa: el trabajo productivo y reproductivo de trabajadoras agrícolas migrantes en Mendoza (Argentina) y su incidencia en la salud-enfermedad / Among the farm, the factory, and home: productive and reproductive work of female migrant farmworkers in Mendoza (Argentina) and its impact in the health-disease process

RESUMEN A partir de las últimas décadas del siglo XX asistimos a profundas transformaciones del trabajo agrícola en América Latina, que han incidido decisivamente en la salud de las y los trabajadores. Estos procesos han tenido implicancias específicas para las trabajadoras agrícolas, quienes afrontan la condición de precariedad laboral del sector, a la vez que experimentan desigualdades que las afectan distintivamente. Este artículo propone analizar conjuntamente los procesos de trabajo productivo y reproductivo de trabajadoras agrícolas migrantes residentes en Mendoza (Argentina), buscando dilucidar la incidencia de esta doble carga en su salud-enfermedad. A partir del trabajo de campo, realizado desde el año 2014 en la localidad agrícola de Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, mediante un enfoque cualitativo apoyado primordialmente en la estrategia biográfica, y con la colaboración de herramientas conceptuales feministas, analizamos las relaciones entre trabajo y salud desde la forma en que estos procesos son narrados por las mujeres migrantes. Los resultados muestran, por una parte, que los procesos de trabajo que impactan en su salud incluyen el empleo y las labores reproductivas, y por otra, describen los daños, enfermedades y padecimientos vinculados al trabajo conjunto en fincas, fábricas y hogares.

ABSTRACT Starting in the last decades of the 20th century, deep transformations have occurred in Latin American agricultural work, with decisive impacts on workers' health. These processes have had specific implications for female agricultural workers, who face the precarious working conditions common to all agricultural workers as well as inequalities that affect them distinctly. This article seeks to analyze the productive and reproductive work of migrant female farmworkers residing in Mendoza (Argentina), in order to elucidate the impact of this double workload on their health-disease processes. Fieldwork was carried out in 2014 in the agricultural town of Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, using a qualitative method supported primarily in a biographical approach. With the collaboration of feminist theoretical tools, we analyzed the relation between work and health based on the way these processes are narrated by migrant women. The results show that the work processes impacting their health include both employment and reproductive labor, and describe the harm, diseases, and illnesses linked to combined work in farms, factories and homes.

Effectiveness of participatory training for the promotion of work-related health and safety among Korean farmers.

This study was conducted to explore the effectiveness of participatory training for promoting farmer's health and reducing agricultural work-related injuries. Candidates for this study included 595 farmers in 8 rural villages of South Korea. The one-day course participatory training was administered to 217 (36.5%) farmers and included an action-checklist, a good example presentation, and group discussion. The follow-up visit to participants' houses and farms was performed after 1 to 3 months. A direct interview survey was administered pre- and post-trainings. The total number of proposed action plans for the improvement of working condition was 620. It was observed that 61.5% of action plans (72.2% of short term and 41.3% of long term plans) were completely implemented. In regards to health and safety indices, the proportion of current smokers was reduced from 29.8% to 25.3% in the group that underwent training. The pesticide intoxication was reduced from 16.1% to 4.8% in participants that underwent training. However, the agricultural injury rate was unchanged in both groups. This study reports significant beneficial effects of participatory training in the agriculture sector in Korea.

Early-life farm exposures and adult asthma and atopy in the Agricultural Lung Health Study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies, mostly from Europe, suggest that early-life farming exposures protect against childhood asthma and allergy; few data exist on asthma and allergy in adults. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine associations between early-life farming exposures and current asthma and atopy in an older adult US farming population. METHODS: We analyzed data from 1746 farmers and 1555 spouses (mean age, 63) from a case-control study nested within the Agricultural Health Study. Current asthma and early-life farming exposures were assessed via questionnaires. We defined atopy based on specific IgE > 0.70 IU/mL to at least 1 of 10 allergens measured in blood. We used logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, race, state (Iowa or North Carolina), and smoking (pack years), to estimate associations between early-life exposures and asthma (1198 cases and 2031 noncases) or atopy (578 cases and 2526 noncases). RESULTS: Exposure to the farming environment in utero and in early childhood had little or no association with asthma but was associated with reduced odds of atopy. The strongest association was seen for having a mother who performed farm activities while pregnant (odds ratio, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.48-0.74) and remained significant in models with correlated early-life exposures including early childhood farm animal contact and raw milk consumption. CONCLUSIONS: In a large US farming population, early-life farm exposures, particularly maternal farming activities while pregnant, were strongly associated with reduced risk of atopy in adults. These results extend previous work done primarily on childhood outcomes and suggest that protective associations of early-life farming exposures on atopy endure across the life course.

Prevalence of hearing problems and associated factors in an agricultural company in southern Brazil / Prevalência de problemas auditivos e fatores associados em uma empresa agropecuária do sul do Brasil

To describe the prevalence and to analyze the factors associated with hearing problems in an agricultural company.

Descrever a prevalência e analisar os fatores associados a problemas auditivos em uma empresa agropecuária.

Associação entre a carga de trabalho agrícola e as dores relacionadas / Association between pain and agricultural workload

Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a carga de trabalho agrícola e as dores atribuídas pelos agricultores. Métodos: Estudo transversal que incluiu 259 agricultores de dois cenários rurais. Utilizou-se instrumento de pesquisa validado para a avaliação da carga de trabalho. Resultados: As associações com maior magnitude ficaram entre a comercialização dos produtos e a dor nos pés e o preparo do solo associado às lombalgias. Os agricultores que apresentaram dores evidenciaram maior carga de trabalho, assim como a carga de trabalho foi significativa para os agricultores que apresentaram estresse, ansiedade e transtorno do ciclo vigília-sono. Conclusão: As cargas de trabalho oriundas do processo de trabalho agrícola exercem influências na saúde e podem levar ao desgaste físico e emocional do agricultor, ocasionando dores e possíveis distúrbios e doenças relacionadas ao trabalho. .

Objective To analyze the association between workload of farm work and pains attributed by farm workers. Methods This cross-sectional study included 259 farm workers from two rural scenarios. A validated research instrument was used to assess the workload. Results Two pairs, sale of products and sore feet and also tillage and low back pain, showed the highest values for association. Farm workers who had pain had high workload. In addition, workload was significant for farm workers who exhibited stress, anxiety, and disorder in the sleep-wake cycle. Conclusion Workload arising from the process of farm work influence farm workers health and may lead them to show emotional and physical wear, causing pain and possible work-related disorders and diseases. .