Annals of Epidemiology
Volume 16, Issue 4, 2006, Pages 313-320

A cohort study of injuries in migrant farm worker families in South Texas (Article)

Cooper S.P.* , Burau K.E. , Frankowski R. , Shipp E.M. , Del Junco D.J. , Whitworth R.E. , Sweeney A.M. , Macnaughton N. , Weller N.F. , Hanis C.L.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A and M School of Rural Public Health, Bryan, TX, United States, Texas A and M School of Rural Public Health, 3000 Briarcrest, Bryan, TX 77802, United States
  • b Division of Biostatistics, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
  • c Division of Biostatistics, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
  • d Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A and M School of Rural Public Health, Bryan, TX, United States, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States, Division of Epidemiology, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
  • e Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A and M School of Rural Public Health, Bryan, TX, United States
  • f Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A and M School of Rural Public Health, Bryan, TX, United States
  • g Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Texas A and M School of Rural Public Health, Bryan, TX, United States
  • h Division of Epidemiology, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States
  • i Department of Family and Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
  • j Division of Epidemiology, University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, United States

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 310 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 for a 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. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

youth Surveillance Injury Migrant workers Hispanics Texas Farm work Family

Index Keywords

social psychology demography risk Wounds and Injuries agricultural worker human Health Behavior seatbelt Cohort Studies Agriculture priority journal Aged morbidity interview United States migrant worker car family occupational accident Humans Adolescent male female risk factor Risk Factors Article major clinical study mother adult cohort analysis hazard Transients and Migrants employment Accidents, Occupational Texas
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33644961758&doi=10.1215%2f0961754X-2005-017&partnerID=40&md5=5b6fb1faf222dc91559342f5d5721e4f
DOI: 10.1215/0961754X-2005-017
ISSN: 10472797
Cited by: 46
Original Language: English