Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106898

Larkin L. Strong, MPH¹, Beti Thompson, PhD², and Gloria Coronado, PhD¹. (1) Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Box 19024, MP3-B232, Seattle, WA 98109, 206-667-2932, lstrong@u.washington.edu, (2) Cancer Prevention Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

Farmworkers' occupational exposure to pesticides may be transported to the home via residue on farmworkers' clothing, boots, and skin, potentially exposing other household members. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) at work and safety practices at home can reduce pesticide exposure in farmworkers and their families. We utilized a population-based sample of 571 farmworkers from 24 communities in Eastern Washington to examine the relationship between performing these behaviors and demographics, beliefs, and worksite characteristics.

The majority of respondents were male (73%), Hispanic (90%), had less than a 9th grade education (67%), and reported household incomes of less than $25,000 (83%). Fewer than half of respondents reported always or usually wearing boots (41%), and gloves (39%), while most (83%) reported regularly wearing a hat in the previous three months. The frequencies with which farmworkers reported always or usually performing home practices ranged from 48% for showering within one hour of arriving home to 83% for washing work clothes separately. Preliminary bivariate analyses using random effects models suggest that farmworkers who reported training within five years and positive beliefs about PPE were more likely to wear boots regularly, while negative beliefs about PPE were associated with reduced use of gloves. Concern about the effects of pesticide exposure and positive beliefs about protective measures were associated with increased reporting of certain home behaviors. Few demographics were associated with behavior. The findings from our final analyses should inform efforts to encourage protective practices in farmworkers and their families.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session participants will be able to

• Articulate how the take-home pathway may contribute to pesticide exposure;
• Identify behaviors to reduce pesticide exposure at work and at home; and
• Identify factors believed to be associated with performing these behaviors.

Keywords: Agricultural Work Safety, Migrant Farm Workers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.