International Journal of Dermatology
Volume 53, Issue 9, 2014, Pages 1091-1097

The association of skin conditions with housing conditions among north carolina latino migrant farm workers (Article)

Gustafson C.J. , Feldman S.R. , Quandt S.A. , Isom S. , Chen H. , Spears C.R. , Arcury T.A.*
  • a Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • b Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Department of Social Science and Health Policy, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • c Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • d Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • e Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • f Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • g Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States

Abstract

Skin conditions are common among Latino migrant farm workers. Although many skin conditions are related to occupational exposures, poor housing conditions may also contribute to skin ailments in migrant farm workers. Objectives: To evaluate the association between housing conditions and skin conditions among Latino migrant farm workers. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study design using interview questionnaires, home inspections, and environmental sampling was implemented to document housing quality of farm worker camps/homes and the prevalence of self-reported skin conditions in Latino migrant farm workers. Interviews were completed with 371 farm workers residing in 186 of the 226 camps (camp response rate 82.3%). Results: Self-reported pruritus (31%), rash (25%), scaling (12%), blisters (11%), and ingrown nails (10%) were common among the participants. Pruritus was more likely to be reported by farm workers living in dwellings without air-conditioning (P < 0.05). Rash was associated with dwellings reported to have a low humidity (P < 0.05). Scaling was more likely to be reported by farm workers living in dwellings with indoor temperatures in the thermal discomfort range (P < 0.05). No statistically significant associations were detected for indoor allergens and self-reported skin ailments among migrant farm workers. Conclusions: Skin conditions are common among migrant farm workers in North Carolina. The quality of housing conditions, particularly hot, dry indoor thermal environment, demonstrated significant associations with pruritus, rash, and scaling. The impact of housing characteristics on pruritus and blisters was greatest in new migrant farm workers. Further research is needed to delineate additional housing factors that could cause or exacerbate skin diseases in farm workers. © 2013 The International Society of Dermatology.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

air conditioning heat sleep Hot Temperature agricultural worker skin disease human North Carolina statistics and numerical data Agriculture housing pruritus Skin Diseases rash Hispanic Americans Cross-Sectional Studies interview United States Young Adult migrant worker blister cross-sectional study Humans Hispanic Adolescent allergen male Article Humidity major clinical study adult migration ingrown nail temperature hazard Transients and Migrants disease association
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906212605&doi=10.1111%2fj.1365-4632.2012.05833.x&partnerID=40&md5=d4f0df2d35c15da2b73768abb9b131fd
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2012.05833.x
ISSN: 00119059
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English