How internet healthcare information overflow affects farmers' healthcare consumption: insights from China.

Introduction: In the context of the deep coupling and synergistic development of digital villages and healthy villages, the development of China's rural society harbors a huge potential for medical and healthcare consumption. Methods: On the basis of theoretical research, a framework was constructed to analyze the influence mechanism of farmers' medical and healthcare consumption in the context of Internet medical information overflow, and empirically examines the research and analysis framework by using the 2020 China Household Tracking Survey data with the OLS model, mediation effect model, and instrumental variable method. Results: It is found that Internet medical information spillover has a "crowding-in effect" on farmers' healthcare consumption; Medical attendance behavior, economic capital utilize the intermediary effect between Internet medical information spillover and farmers' healthcare consumption. And there is age group heterogeneity in the effect of Internet medical information spillover on farmers' healthcare consumption, The ability of rural middle-aged and old-aged groups to recognize new things such as Internet medical information needs to be improved, so the overflow of Internet medical information will induce rural middle-aged and old-aged groups to generate a certain amount of medical and health care consumption. However, the impact on healthcare consumption is not sensitive to the youth cohort group. Discussion: The sinking of Internet medical resources should be accelerated in the future to promote the high-quality development of rural medical and health services, at the same time the "Internet + healthcare services" should be optimized to promote scientific and rational stratification of farmers' access to healthcare, and economic capital for farmers' access to health care should be improved in order to alleviate the burden of health care, etc.

Crop yields fail to rise in smallholder farming systems in sub-Saharan Africa.

Drawing on a harmonized longitudinal dataset covering more than 55,000 smallholder farms in six African countries, we analyze changes in crop productivity from 2008 to 2019. Because smallholder farmers represent a significant fraction of the world's poorest people, agricultural productivity in this context matters for poverty reduction and for the broader achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our analysis measures productivity trends for nationally representative samples of smallholder crop farmers, using detailed data on agricultural inputs and outputs which we integrate with detailed data on local weather and environmental conditions. In spite of government commitments and international efforts to strengthen African agriculture, we find no evidence that smallholder crop productivity improved over this 12-y period. Our preferred statistical specification of total factor productivity (TFP) suggests an overall decline in productivity of -3.5% per year. Various other models we test also find declining productivity in the overall sample, and none of them finds productivity growth. However, the different countries in our sample experienced varying trends, with some instances of growth in some regions. The results suggest that major challenges remain for agricultural development in sub-Saharan Africa. They complement previous analyses that relied primarily on aggregate national statistics to measure agricultural productivity, rather than detailed microdata.

Heat-related fatalities in North Carolina 1999-2017.

OBJECTIVES: Research shows the highest rates of occupational heat-related fatalities among farm laborers and among Black and Hispanic workers in North Carolina (NC). The Hispanic population and workforce in NC have grown substantially in the past 20 years. We describe the epidemiology of heat-related fatal injuries in the general population and among workers in NC. METHODS: We reviewed North Carolina death records and records of the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to identify heat-related deaths (primary International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision diagnosis code: X30 or T67.0-T67.9) that occurred between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2017. Decedent age, sex, race, and ethnicity were extracted from both the death certificate and the medical examiner's report as well as determinations of whether the death occurred at work. RESULTS: In NC between 1999 and 2017, there were 225 deaths from heat-related injuries, and 25 occurred at work. The rates of occupational heat-related deaths were highest among males, workers of Hispanic ethnicity, workers of Black, multiple, or unknown race, and in workers aged 55-64. The highest rate of occupational heat-related deaths occurred in the agricultural industry. CONCLUSIONS: Since the last report (2001), the number of heat-related fatalities has increased, but fewer were identified as workplace fatalities. Rates of occupational heat-related deaths are highest among Hispanic workers. NC residents identifying as Black are disproportionately burdened by heat-related fatalities in general, with a wider apparent disparity in occupational deaths.

Assessing the impact of socio-demographics and farming activity on ward-level mortality patterns using farm and population decennial censuses.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Farmers experience a specific set of unique dangers, which increases their risk of mortality compared with any other occupation. This study hypothesised that Northern Ireland's (NIs) agriculturally saturated Wards have a higher risk of mortality compared against non-agriculturally based Wards. DESIGN: The Population Census and Farm Census information were downloaded from the Northern Ireland Neighbourhood Service (NINIS) online depository to compile three mortality-based data sets (2001, 2011, pooled data sets). Assessing the impact of socio-demographics and farming activity on Ward-level mortality patterns using farm and population decennial censuses. This study analysed all 582 Ward areas of NI, which enclosed the entire populace of the country in 2001 and 2011. FINDINGS: Path analysis was utilised to examine direct and indirect paths linked with mortality within two census years (2001; 2011), alongside testing pathways for invariance between census years (pooled data set). Ward-level results provided evidence for exogenous variables to mortality operating through three/four endogenous variables via: (i) direct effects (age), (ii) summed indirect effects (age; males; living alone; farming profit; and deprivation) and (iii) total effects (age; males; living alone; and deprivation). Multi-group results cross-validated these cause-and-effect relationships relating to mortality. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that farming intensity scores, farming profits and socio-demographics' influence on mortality risk in a Ward were dependent on the specific social-environmental characteristics within that area. In line with earlier area level research, results support the aggregated interpretation that higher levels of farming activity within a Ward increase the risk of mortality within those Wards of NI. This was an essential study to enable future tailoring of new strategies and upgrading of current policies to bring about significant mortality risk change at local level.

Impact of heat and a rest-shade-hydration intervention program on productivity of piece-paid industrial agricultural workers at risk of chronic kidney disease of nontraditional origin.

OBJECTIVES: Assess the impact of environmental heat and a rest-shade-hydration (RSH) intervention against heat stress on productivity of piece-paid Mesoamerican sugarcane cutters. These workers are at a high risk of chronic kidney disease of non-traditional origin (CKDnt), from the severe heat stress they experience due to heavy work under hot conditions. RSH interventions in these populations improve kidney health outcomes, but their impact on productivity has yet to be examined. METHODS: We accessed routine productivity data from seed (SC, N = 749) and burned (BCC, N = 535) sugarcane cutters observed over five harvest seasons with increasing RSH intervention at a large Nicaraguan sugarcane mill. Hourly field-site wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was recorded by mill staff and summarized as a daily mean. Mixed linear regression was used to model daily productivity, adjusting for age (18-29, 30-44, and >45 years), sex, WBGT (<28, 28-29, 29-30, 30-31, and >31 °C) on the same and preceding day, harvest season (2017-18 to 2021-22), month, and acclimatization status (<1, 1-2, and >2 weeks). RESULTS: There was an inverse dose-response relationship between SC productivity and WBGT on the same and preceding days, decreasing by approximately 3%/°C WBGT. Productivity increased during the study period, i.e. coinciding with RSH scale-up, by approximately 19% in SC and 9% in BCC. CONCLUSION: Agricultural worker productivity was expected lower on hotter days, strengthening the interest in all stakeholders to mitigate increasing global temperatures and their impact. Despite decreasing the total time allocated for work each day, an RSH intervention appears to result in increased productivity and no apparent loss in productivity.

Pesticide use and inflammatory bowel disease in licensed pesticide applicators and spouses in the Agricultural Health Study.

BACKGROUND: Pesticide exposure has been linked to some autoimmune diseases and colorectal cancer, possibly via alteration of gut microbiota or other mechanisms. While pesticides have been linked to gut dysbiosis and inflammation in animal models, few epidemiologic studies have examined pesticides in relation to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). OBJECTIVES: We evaluated use of pesticides and incident IBD in 68,480 eligible pesticide applicators and spouses enrolled in the Agricultural Health Study. METHODS: Self-reported IBD cases were identified from follow-up questionnaires between enrollment (1993-1997) and 2022. We evaluated IBD incidence in relation to self-reported ever use of 50 pesticides among applicators and spouses. We also explored associations with intensity-weighted lifetime days (IWLD) of pesticide use among male applicators. Covariate-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox regression. RESULTS: We identified 454 IBD cases, including 227 among male applicators. In analyses with applicators and spouses combined, associations were positive (HR > 1.2) for ever vs. never use of five organochlorine insecticides, three organophosphate insecticides, one fungicide, and five herbicides. HRs were highest for dieldrin (HR = 1.59, 95%CI: 1.03, 2.44), toxaphene (HR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.17, 2.21), parathion (HR = 1.42, 95%CI: 1.03, 1.95), and terbufos (HR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.19, 1.96). We had limited power in many IWLD of pesticide use analyses and did not find clear evidence of exposure-response trends; however, we observed elevated HRs in all tertiles of IWLD use of terbufos compared to never use (T1 vs. never use HR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.03, 2.24; T2 vs. never use HR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.04, 2.26; T3 vs. never use HR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.03, 2.23). CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to specific pesticides was associated with elevated hazards of IBD. These findings may have public health importance given the widespread use of pesticides and the limited number of known modifiable environmental risk factors for IBD.

Depression and Pesticide Exposure Among Male Farmers in Greece.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between pesticide exposure and depression. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in a study population of 252 Greek male farmers using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. Cumulative pesticide exposure was categorized in three mutually exclusive groups related to lifetime pesticide use: low (<275 days, the reference group), intermediate (276 to 1200 days), and high (>1200 days). Acute pesticide exposure was categorized in pesticide poisoning events and high pesticide exposure events. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals, and P values were presented. FINDINGS: After adjusting for confounding factors, a positive significant association was found between both high-exposure group and high pesticide exposure events and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from acute, high cumulative pesticide exposure may as well contribute to the development of depression.

Farming activity and risk of treated thyroid disorders: Insights from the TRACTOR project, a nationwide cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data regarding thyroid diseases are lacking, in particular for occupationally exposed populations. OBJECTIVES: To compare the risk of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism between farming activities within the complete population of French farm managers (FMs). METHODS: Digital health data from retrospective administrative databases, including insurance claims and electronic health/medical records, was employed. This cohort data spanned the entirety of French farm managers (FMs) who had undertaken work at least once from 2002 to 2016. Survival analysis with the time to initial medication reimbursement as timescale was used to examine the association (hazard ratio, HR) between 26 specific farming activities and both treated hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. A distinct model was developed for each farming activity, comparing FMs who had never engaged in the specific farming activity between 2002 and 2016 with those who had. All analyses were adjusted for potential confounders (e.g., age), and sensitivity analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Among 1088561 FMs (mean age 46.6 [SD 14.1]; 31% females), there were 31834 hypothyroidism cases (75% females) and 620 hyperthyroidism cases (67% females), respectively. The highest risks were observed for cattle activities for both hyperthyroidism (HR ranging from 1.75 to 2.42) and hypothyroidism (HR ranging from 1.41 to 1.44). For hypothyroidism, higher risks were also observed for several animal farming activities (pig, poultry, and rabbit), as well as fruit arboriculture (HR = 1.22 [1.14-1.31]). The lowest risks were observed for activities involving horses. Sex differences in the risk of hypothyroidism were observed for eight activities, with the risk being higher for males (HR = 1.09 [1.01-1.20]) than females in viticulture (HR = 0.97 [0.93-1.00]). The risk of hyperthyroidism was two times higher for male dairy farmers than females. DISCUSSION: Our findings offer a comprehensive overview of thyroid disease risks within the FM community. Thyroid ailments might not stem from a single cause but likely arise from the combined effects of various causal agents and triggering factors (agricultural exposome). Further investigation into distinct farming activities-especially those involving cattle-is essential to pinpoint potential risk factors that could enhance thyroid disease monitoring in agriculture.

Analysis of the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of hepatitis E in Jiangsu province from 2005 to 2020.

Objective: This study attempts to analyze the spatial clustering and spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of hepatitis E (HE) at the county (city and district) level in Jiangsu province to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of HE. Method: The information on HE cases reported in the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention Information System from 2005 to 2020 was collected for spatial autocorrelation analysis and spatial-temporal clustering analysis. Result: From 2005 to 2020, 48,456 HE cases were reported in Jiangsu province, with an average annual incidence rate of 3.87/100,000. Male cases outnumbered female cases (2.46:1), and the incidence was highest in the 30-70 years of age group (80.50%). Farmers accounted for more than half of all cases (59.86%), and in terms of the average annual incidence, the top three cities were all in Zhenjiang city. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that Global Moran's I of HE incidence varied from 0.232 to 0.513 for the years. From 2005 to 2020, 31 counties (cities and districts) had high and statistically significant HE incidence, and two clustering areas were detected by spatial-temporal scanning. Conclusion: HE incidence in Jiangsu province from 2005 to 2020 was stable, with age and gender differences, regional clustering, and spatial-temporal clustering. Further investigation of HE clustering areas is necessary to formulate corresponding targeted prevention and control measures.

Ageing threatens sustainability of smallholder farming in China.

Rapid demographic ageing substantially affects socioeconomic development1-4 and presents considerable challenges for food security and agricultural sustainability5-8, which have so far not been well understood. Here, by using data from more than 15,000 rural households with crops but no livestock across China, we show that rural population ageing reduced farm size by 4% through transferring cropland ownership and land abandonment (approximately 4 million hectares) in 2019, taking the population age structure in 1990 as a benchmark. These changes led to a reduction of agricultural inputs, including chemical fertilizers, manure and machinery, which decreased agricultural output and labour productivity by 5% and 4%, respectively, further lowering farmers' income by 15%. Meanwhile, fertilizer loss increased by 3%, resulting in higher pollutant emissions to the environment. In new farming models, such as cooperative farming, farms tend to be larger and operated by younger farmers, who have a higher average education level, hence improving agricultural management. By encouraging the transition to new farming models, the negative consequences of ageing can be reversed. Agricultural input, farm size and farmer's income would grow by approximately 14%, 20% and 26%, respectively, and fertilizer loss would reduce by 4% in 2100 compared with that in 2020. This suggests that management of rural ageing will contribute to a comprehensive transformation of smallholder farming to sustainable agriculture in China.

Race, Toxic Exposures, and Environmental Health: The Contestation of Lupus among Farmworkers.

Extant research has established that low-wage workers of color are at higher risk for occupational exposures. While the medical sociology literature regarding contested illness provides insights into the dynamics surrounding workplace exposures, some environmental illnesses such as lupus have gotten scant analytical attention. This is a significant gap because women of color, who are more likely to hold these high-risk jobs, are disproportionately affected by the disease. We examine a case of pesticide exposure among Black women farmworkers in Florida. We investigate how race and occupation intersect to shape lived experiences with toxics and what role race plays in the process of contesting exposures and illness. Our data include in-depth interviews (N = 36), media coverage, and archival materials. Our findings indicate that race-related factors played an important part in shaping the farmworkers' experiences with exposures, illness, and interaction with elite actors.

The effects of heat exposure on tropical farm workers in Malaysia: six-month physiological health monitoring.

Farmers in tropical countries have been impacted by slow-onset heat stress. By comparing the nature of farming activities performed by conventional farmworkers and agroecological farmers, this study examined the changes in physiological health in responses to heat exposure through a six-month longitudinal study. Throughout the six-month follow-up period, the heat stress index (HSI), physiological strain indices (PSI), and physiological health parameters (BMI, blood glucose level, blood cholesterol level, uric acid level) were measured and repeated every two-month. Physiological parameters were recorded twice daily, before and during their first lunch break. This study found that slow-onset heat stress affects farmers differently. The health of agroecological farmers is more resistant to slow-onset extreme temperatures. Pre-existing metabolic health effects from pesticide exposure make conventional farmers more susceptible to extreme temperatures, delaying their bodies' adaptation to rising temperatures.

Prevalencia de la infección por Sporothrix schenckii en agricultores del Cantón Shushufindi de la Provincia de Sucumbíos / Prevalence of Sporothrix schenckii infection in farmers of the Shushufindi Canton of the Sucumbíos Province

La esporotricosis es una micosis subcutánea causada por la inoculación traumática en la piel de especies de hongos del género Sporothrix. La enfermedad tiene diferentes manifestaciones clínicas (cutáneas, linfocutáneas y diseminadas), y también puede progresar a una infección sistémica. A pesar de tener una distribución mundial, la esporotricosis es más frecuente en los países tropicales y subtropicales. La esporotricosis es la micosis subcutánea más frecuente en América Latina, donde se considera endémica. Ciertos grupos de personas pueden estar más expuestos al agente causal de la enfermedad, como los agricultores. Así, este trabajo tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia de la esporotricosis en 3.133 agricultores, en el cantón de Shushufindi de la provincia de Sucumbíos, Ecuador. En este estudio, se utilizó una prueba de intradermorreacción con el antígeno esporotriquina obtenido del hongo Sporothrix schenckii. Los datos obtenidos mostraron una prevalencia de 35,45%. La distribución de la prevalencia de la esporotricosis con respecto a los grupos de edad no mostró diferencias estadísticas significativas (p=0,2054). Para la variable sexo, si hubo significancia estadística (p=0,01995). 51 de los casos positivos presentaron gomas y/o úlceras en alguno de sus miembros. La esporotricosis ha demostrado ser una de las micosis subcutáneas más frecuente en los trabajadores de la agricultura en la región ecuatoriana evaluada(AU)

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by traumatic skin inoculation of fungal species of the genus Sporothrix. The disease has different clinical manifestations (cutaneous, lymphocutaneous, and disseminated), and it can also progress to a systemic infection. Despite having a worldwide distribution, sporotrichosis is more common in tropical and subtropical countries. Sporotrichosis is the most frequent subcutaneous mycosis in Latin America, where it is considered endemic. Certain groups of people may be more exposed to the causative agent of the disease, such as farmers. Thus, this work aimed to determine the prevalence of sporotrichosis in 3133 farmers, in the canton of Shushufindi in the province of Sucumbíos, Ecuador. In this study, an intradermal test was used with the sporotrichin antigen obtained from the fungus Sporothrix schenckii. The data obtained showed a prevalence of 35.45%. The distribution of the prevalence of sporotrichosis with respect to age groups did not show significant statistical differences (p=0.2054). For the sex variable, there was statistical significance (p=0.01995). 51 of the positive cases presented gums and/or ulcers in one of their members. Sporotrichosis has proven to be one of the most frequent subcutaneous mycoses in agricultural workers in the evaluated Ecuadorian region(AU)

Assessment of hygiene practices and microbial safety of milk supplied by smallholder farmers to processors in selected counties in Kenya.

Smallholder farmers dominate the Kenyan dairy sector producing 95% of the total milk. However, several concerns have been raised on the quality and safety of the milk they produce. This study assessed the hygienic practices and microbial safety of milk supplied by smallholder farmers to processors in Bomet, Nyeri, and Nakuru counties in Kenya. Interviews and direct observations were carried out to assess hygiene and handling practices by farmers and a total of 92 milk samples were collected along four collection channels: direct suppliers, traders, cooperatives with coolers, and cooperatives without coolers. Microbial analysis was done following standard procedures and data analysed using GenStat and SPSS. This study revealed that farmers did not employ good hygienic practices in their routine dairy management. They used plastic containers for milking and milk storage (34.2%); they did not clean sheds (47.9%) and did not set aside cows that suffered from mastitis factors (83.6%), resulting in poor microbial quality of raw milk along the collection channels. The highest mean total viable counts (8.72 log10 cfu/ml) were recorded in Nakuru while Nyeri had the highest mean E. coli counts (4.97 log10 cfu/ml) and Bomet recorded the highest mean counts of 5.13 and 5.78 log10 cfu/ml for Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes respectively. Based on all above-mentioned parameters, the microbial load in most samples from all three counties exceeded the set Kenyan standards. Farmer training, improving road infrastructure, use of instant coolers at cooperatives, and quality-based payment systems are recommended as measures to curb microbial growth.

Resistencia antimicrobiana y producción porcina de cría intensiva / Antimicrobial resistance and intensive swine production: mini review

Introducción: el impacto de la resistencia antimicrobiana (RAM) generará un aumento de las muertes relacionadas de 10 millones anuales hacia 2050. El 70% de la dispensación de antimicrobianos (ATB) se utiliza en la agroveterinaria y no en salud humana. Es fundamental conocer la portación de RAM en trabajadores de cría de animales y en los animales, para acciones tempranas de salud pública. Métodos: bajo metodología PRISMA se realizó la búsqueda bibliográfica en distintas fuentes disponibles hasta octubre de 2020. Se priorizaron revisiones sistemáticas, metanálisis, ensayos clínicos y estudios observacionales para determinar la RAM en trabajadores de cría de cerdos. De 990 artículos identificados se incluyeron 8 estudios. Resultados: la tasa de colonización por Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina (SAMR) en trabajadores fue mayor que la de la población general. La prevalencia de SAMR fue significativamente mayor en trabajadores en contacto directo con animales y los de granjas de cría intensiva con respecto a los de extensiva. En cerdos, la prevalencia de RAM en cría intensiva fue significativamente mayor que la de los de cría extensiva. También fue significativa la asociación entre el suministro de antibióticos en la cría intensiva y la presencia de RAM. Las granjas de más de 1250 cerdos presentaron mayor prevalencia de RAM (p < 0,001). El fenotipo de SAMR en cerdos, trabajadores y el ambiente fue el mismo. Conclusiones: existe evidencia de asociación entre la producción agrícola de cría intensiva y la RAM en cerdos y trabajadores. No se encontraron estudios de vigilancia epidemiológica en la Argentina en trabajadores de cría de animales. (AU)

Introduction: it is estimated that the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) will generate an increase of 10 million deaths by 2050, being reflected to a greater extent in low-income countries. 70% of the annual use of antimicrobials is concentrated in agroveterinary but not in human health. Considering the presence of AMR in ranchers and agricultural workers is essential for early public health actions. Methods: using the PRISMA methodology, bibliography was searched in different sources until October 2020. Systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical trials and observational studies were prioritized to determine AMR in pig workers. Eight studies of the 990 found have been included. Results: the rate of colonization by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in farming workers was higher than the general population. MRSA prevalence was significantly higher in workers who reported direct contact with animals. And also in those workers of intensive farms compared to those of extensive farms. The same situation is observed in swines, in which the prevalence of AMR in intensive farming was significantly higher than in extensive farming. The association between the supply of antibiotics in intensive farming workers and the presence of AMR was also significant. Farms with more than 1,250 swines had a higher prevalence of AMR (p<0.001). The MRSA phenotype found in swine, agricultural workers, and the environment was the same. Conclusions: there is scientific evidence of an association between agricultural production in intensive livestock farming and AMR in swine and farming workers. There aren't Argentine studies of epidemiological surveillance in farming workers. (AU)

Comparisons of working conditions and health-related problems between older male and female crop farmers.

BACKGROUND: Although the number of farmers in Korea is declining, the proportion of older farmers aged ≥60 increases. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze gender differences in working conditions, exposure to risk factors, and health problems of older crop farmers aged ≥60. METHODS: This study used data from the 5th Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) data of 818 male and 985 female crop farmers aged ≥60 years. RESULTS: This study showed that older female farmers had higher ratios of living alone (45.0% vs. 13.4%, p < 0.001), lower education levels (80.7% vs. 53.4%, p < 0.001), and lower average incomes (1.565 vs. 2.036 million KRW, p < 0.001) than that of males. Among subjective scores on the exposure of risk factors, only females' repetitive motion (4.923) and awkward posture (4.415) scores were higher than that of males' repetitive motion (4.601) (p < 0.001) and awkward posture (4.159) scores (p = 0.001). However, female's health problem rates on upper limb pain (68.3%), lower extremity pain (67.6%), backache (48.4%), overall fatigue (44.8%), and headache and eyestrain (25.0%) were higher than that of male's complaint rates on upper limb pain (48.5%) (p < 0.001), lower extremity pain (53.3%) (p < 0.001), backache (35.0%) (p < 0.001), overall fatigue (39.5%) (p = 0.024), and headache and eyestrain (19.4%) (p = 0.005). The rate of depression symptoms in females (54.6%), with a high proportion of single-person households, was higher than that of males (46.9%) (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The musculoskeletal pains and depression symptoms of older female farmers are prevalent, and efforts and support are required to improve working conditions.

Caracterização dos sistemas de criação de caprinos e ovinos da Ilha de São Luís no estado do Maranhão, Brasil / Characterization of goat and sheep breeding systems at São Luis Island in the state of Maranhão, Brazil

Objetivou-se descrever o perfil dos sistemas de criação de caprinos e ovinos da Ilha de São Luís no estado do Maranhão. Para isso, realizou-se um estudo descritivo, exploratório e quali-quantitativo com 80 produtores rurais selecionados pela técnica Snowball, no período de fevereiro a abril de 2021. Em relação ao perfil do produtor rural, verificou-se predominância do gênero masculino (93,8%), apresentando faixa etária entre 25 a 60 anos (86,2%). A maioria dos produtores apresentavam ensino médio completo (23,8%) ou ensino superior completo (23,8%) e 88,8% dos produtores não estavam vinculados a organizações coletivas, associações, cooperativas ou sindicatos. Nas propriedades rurais o sistema de criação predominante era o semi-extensivo (73,8%) com presença de apriscos (76,2%) e as criações eram consorciadas com caprinos e ovinos (58,8%). A principal causa de morte nos animais verificada foi a verminose (58,8%). Conclui-se que se faz necessário o estabelecimento de medidas de estímulo às criações na Ilha de São Luís por meio de políticas públicas voltadas aos produtores locais, requerendo, sobretudo, assistência técnica, orientações zootécnicas, educação sanitária e acesso ao crédito, para, assim, deixar de ser apenas uma atividade de subsistência e passar a gerar maiores rendas para as famílias produtoras.

The objective of this research was to describe the profile of the goat and sheep rearing systems on the Island of São Luís in the state of Maranhão. For this, a descriptive, exploratory and qualitative-quantitative study was carried out with 80 rural producers selected by the Snowball technique, from February to April 2021. Regarding the profile of the rural producer, there was a predominance of males (93.8%), aging between 25 and 60 years (86.2%). Most producers had completed high school (23.8%) or higher education (23.8%) and 88.8% were not members of collective organizations, associations, cooperatives or unions. In rural properties, the predominant rearing system was semi-extensive (73.8%) with the presence of sheepfolds (76.2%) and mutual goats and sheep farming (58.8%). The main cause of death of animals was warm infections (58.8%). In conclusion, it is necessary to establish measures to support sheep and goat farming on the Island of São Luís through public policies focused on local producers, which require, above all, technical assistance, zootechnical guidelines, health education and access to credit in order to the farms stop being just a subsistence activity and start generating higher incomes for producing families.

Analyzing farm households' perception and choice of adaptation strategies towards climate change impacts: a case study of vulnerable households in an emerging Asian region.

Poor agricultural communities are particularly more disruptive to changes in climate. In southeast Asian countries, Pakistan is extremely vulnerable to weather-related events including droughts and floods. This research study aims to determine the farmers' perception towards climatic risks, farmers' choice of adaptation strategies and factors influencing farmers' decision of adaptation measures. A face-to-face household survey was conducted to collect primary data of 378 farm households from three tehsils of district Charsadda-Khyber Pakhuntkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was utilized as an instrument to collect data from the targeted farmers in study areas (three tehsils of district Charsadda). A binary probit model approach was used to assess the major factors affecting farmers' decision towards adaptation measures. Results revealed that changing crop varieties, diversification of crops, changing crop calendar, and insurance of crops were the major adaptive measures exercised by farm households in their farms. Findings of the binary probit approach showed that age of the respondents, farm size, educational level, credit access, household size, extension services access and perception of increased floods, and reduction in precipitation had substantial effect on the farmers' adaptation strategies choice. Advanced agricultural practices in response to the climatic risks can thus have substantial effects and reduction in farmers' exposure to natural calamities. Study findings of our research can guide policy makers and concerned authorities and provide policy implications for future research studies.