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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Susan Antol, MS, RN¹, Jane Lipscomb, PhD, RN², and Karen Kauffman, PhD, RN². (1) Department of Family and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Nursing, 655 W. Lombard St., Suite 525B, Baltimore, MD 21201, 410-706-5145, antol@son.umaryland.edu, (2) School of Nursing, University of Maryland, 655 West Lombard Street, Suite 655C, Baltimore, MD 21201

Health Issues of Female Mexican Crab Pickers

Funded by: Johns Hopkins School of Public Health NIOSH (ERC)

Background: Crab picking houses on Hooper's Island, Dorchester County, Maryland, employ female Mexican crab pickers under the H2B visa program. Utilization data from 330G (migrant health) funded primary health services has shown that these women seek care for various health complaints. This qualitative study describes the association between the work and the hazards and occupational health risks of crab pickers.

Methods: Six open-ended questions and a set of guidelines were administered via six focus groups (N=67) conducted by a trained focus group leader and a bilingual interpreter in Spanish. Questions addressed workplace conditions and health complaints. The audio recorded sessions were transcribed and translated into English and analyzed by a qualitative researcher.

Results: Themes identified were lacerations and chemical irritations of the hands, musculoskeletal problems, depression, urinary tract infections, and respiratory complaints. There was variation among the worksites in working conditions and use of protective equipment, i.e., eyewear and gloves. Crew leaders encouraged workers to seek care, however they seldom missed work despite acute and painful conditions.

Conclusions: The high level of agreement among participants validates the existence of core issues of work conditions, exposures and health complaints of crab pickers.

Recommendations: Quantitative measures of work exposures and health effects for this population to guide baseline assessment during the health interview should be developed and piloted with this population. Health surveillance and primary prevention activities should be planned in conjunction with the worksite.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, The participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe three work related risk factors experienced by female workers engaged in crab-picking process.
• Identify at least two environmental hazards in the crab house work environment.
• Articulate screening criteria for inclusion into the health assessment conducted by occupational health primary care providers and/or nurses.
• Develop a plan for future health surveillance and primary prevention activities to be carried out in the workplace (crab house) in conjunction with management.

Keywords: Migrant Workers, Occupational Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation