Association Between Workplace and Housing Conditions and Use of Pesticide Safety Practices Among North Carolina Farmworkers

Background: Pesticide exposure is a health concern for farmworkers and their families. Current literature shows inconsistencies about the effects of farmworker housing conditions and work environments on use of self-protective behavior practices. Objective: To investigate workplace and housing conditions associated with farmworker use of pesticide safety practices. Methods: Farmworkers working in agriculture aged 18 to 62 (N = 187) were recruited for this study. A modified questionnaire was used to collect self-reported measures on housing and workplace conditions. A pilot study was conducted to ensure validity and reliability of questions that were added to the survey instrument. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analyses. Results: Use of pesticide safety practices were 13.6 times greater among farmworkers reporting availability of enough hot and cold water for bathing and doing laundry (Adjusted OR = 13.56, 95% CI, 1.36, 135.42). Farmworkers that reported soap for handwashing was always or usually available while doing agricultural work were 7.8 times more likely to use pesticide safety practices (Adjusted OR = 7.82, 95% CI, 3.30, 18.54). Information about pesticides posted where farmworkers could see it increased use of pesticide safety practices 3.3 times (Adjusted OR = 3.31, 95% CI, 1.31, 8.38). Conclusions: Findings indicate that some migrant farmworker labor camps are not supplying farmworkers enough hot and cold water to bathe and do laundry. Farmworker use of pesticide safety practices are greater when farmers provide decontamination supplies. Improvement of housing and workplace conditions are crucial to increase use of pesticide safety practices.