228956 Occupational Injuries among Latino Immigrant Poultry and Manual Workers: Study Design and Descriptive statistics

Monday, November 8, 2010

Dana Mora, MPH , Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Thomas A. Arcury, PhD , Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Joseph G. Grzywacz, PhD , Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Haiying Chen, PHD , Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC
Jill Blocker, MS , Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Winston-Salem, NC
Sara A. Quandt, PhD , Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
BACKGROUND: Poultry processing workers have high rates of occupational injuries and illnesses. OSHA data are thought to be underestimates due to underreporting by companies and workers, many of whom are Latino. To try to obtain estimates of injuries and illnesses without depending on workplace access, we designed a study to sample workers from communities surrounding poultry plants to assess the prevalence and incidence of musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory disorders, and skin illnesses. This paper presents the design of the study and some characteristics of the participants. METHODS: Community based sampling was used to recruit 552 immigrant Latino workers evenly divided between poultry and manual workers from western North Carolina, and with equal numbers of males and females. Face to face interviews were conducted to obtain self-reported musculoskeletal, respiratory, and skin symptoms, as well as work characteristics and exposures. Study participants were also requested to undergo physical examinations. RESULTS: Most participants were between 18 and 30 yrs of age; 60% had 6 or fewer years of education; and 90% were from either Mexico or Guatemala. Poultry workers were more likely to report having discomfort in the past 7 days for back (27% vs. 16%) and forearm (17% vs. 11%), which were consistent with differences for the past month and year. More poultry workers than other manual workers reported some skin conditions, including urticaria, and symptoms such as itching. CONCLUSION: This study will allow a comprehensive description from both self-report and physical examination data of the health status of Latino poultry processing workers.

Learning Areas:
Occupational health and safety

Learning Objectives:
1.Describe the design for the "Occupational injuries among Latino immigrant poultry and manual workers" study 2.Identity characteristics among Latino poultry and non-poultry manual workers 3.Explain why community-based studies of occupational injuries are necessary for some worker populations.

Keywords: Occupational Health, Immigrants

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have a Masters in Public Health , I have previously done research at the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and I am currently the project Manager for a study that is looking at occupational injuries among Latino poultry and manual non-poultry worker.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.