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Journal article

A cohort study of injuries in migrant farm worker families in south Texas

Date

2006

Authors

S. P. Cooper, K.E. Burau, and R. Frankowski

Abstract

PURPOSE: This cohort Study estimated the frequency of and risk factors for work injuries among migrant farmworker families over a two-year period.
METHODS: The cohort consisted of 267 families. Bilingual interviewers asked mothers to respond for their family soliciting demographic, psychosocial, employment, and work-related injury information. Cox regression was used to examine risk factors for first injury events.
RESULTS: Of the 267 families, nearly 60% migrated and 96% of these completed the follow-up interviews. These families represented about 3 10 individuals each year who had participated in farmwork on average 6 days a week, 10 hours a day, for 2.7 months in the past year. Twenty-five work-related injuries were reported with an overall rate of 12.5/100 FTE (95% C.I., 8.6-19.0). Working fora contractor increased the hazard ratio, and use of car seat belts and working for more than one employer during the season decreased it.
CONCLUSIONS: If person-time at risk for injuries is taken into account the reported injuries are substantial. Because the injuries were quite diverse, specific interventions may have to focus on improved working conditions (physical and economic), ergonomic modifications, and enhanced enforcement of existing regulations. [References: 46]

Journal title

Annals of Epidemiology

Volume

16

Issue

4

Page numbers

313-320

Links

Economic sectors

Agriculture and horticulture workers and General farm workers

Content types

Statistics on work and life conditions

Target groups

Researchers

Geographical focuses

United States

Spheres of activity

Agriculture and Health sciences

Languages

English