Analyses of Occupational Illnesses and Implementation of Preventive Strategies at a Connecticut Tobacco Farm: A Pilot Study

Background: Migrant farm workers (MFW) beliefs about risk factors for adverse health conditions do not correlate with scientific evidence, suggesting lack of awareness of risks experienced in the fields. Focus groups and in depth personal interviews have been shown to be effective methods to obtain qualitative valid information about MFW knowledge, beliefs and practices. This project goals were: 1) to gain a better understanding of the health knowledge and attitudes, behaviors, and exposures which influence CT MFW health and 2) to select health-related knowledge and behavioral gaps to be addressed during educational activities. Methods: MFW clinic visits data gathered by the MassLeague from 2000-2005 were grouped based on ICD-9 and analyzed. Two MFW focus groups (N=15) and individual surveys with quizzes (N=34) were performed at a farm to evaluate understanding of the training provided. Results: The MassLeague data showed greater percentage of all potentially occupational-related diagnoses, with trends seen over the planting and harvesting months, during high farming activity months. The selected diagnoses were not significantly different from other diagnoses identified during UCONN Students' Primary Care Clinics at the farms but differed significantly from all remaining farms from the MassLeague data set. The interviews demonstrated that few MFW had ever received pesticide training. Training with pictures was more effective than without them. Conclusions: Lack of knowledge causes some illness promoting behaviors. To increase MFW knowledge the use of pictorial educational materials was shown to be effective. Further studies are needed to evaluate interventional methods and generalizability of results.