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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Andrew D. Tanner, MPH, Environmental and Occupational Health, Drexel University School of Public Health, 245 N. 15th Street, Mail Stop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192, 610.517.2826, adt34@drexel.edu and Louise Ward, PhD CRNP, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, 1505 Race St., Mail Stop 501, Philadelphia, PA 19102.

Agricultural has consistently been one of the most dangerous occupations. According to 2004 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, agricultural crop production reported a fatality rate of 73.75 (per 100,000) compared with 4.81 for all private industry. Many of the health and safety hazards in agriculture are experienced by Latino migrant farmworkers, for whom we have little robust data. Psychosocial factors have been shown to be associated with injuries in other occupations and may contribute to the epidemic of injuries and fatalities in farmworkers. The mental health of this population of workers has been set as a priority by NIOSH. Our pilot study using the SF36v2 questionnaire, the Healthy Days (HD) measure and the Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory (MFWSI) with 80 Latino migrant farmworkers provides some insight into the psychosocial aspects of this difficult and dangerous occupation. Each of these instruments measure aspects of mental health and stress. Language barriers, lack of training, stress from being away from family and friends, isolation and other influences on mental health are illuminated within this population. These workers report high levels of stress as measured by the MFWSI. The comparison between the BRFSS sample population and the study population also illustrates differences in mentally unhealthy days. The answer to many of the fatalities and injuries of farmworkers may hinge on their psychosocial health. More research should be conducted to determine that relationship and successful ways to reduce fatalities and injury using psychosocial interventions.

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

• List five of the hazards which result in farmworker injuries, illness and fatalities. (stoop, cutting tools, falls, machinery, etc.)
• Discuss farmworker mental health and the link between mental health and injury.
• Describe appropriate instruments to measure mental health in the context of larger data collection projects.
• Identify mental health as an essential part of occupational safety and health research

Keywords: Occupational Health,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation