American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Volume 57, Issue 5, 2014, Pages 605-614

Self-reported skin symptoms and skin-related quality of life among Latino immigrant poultry processing and other manual workers (Article)

Quandt S.A.* , Newman J.C. , Pichardo-Geisinger R. , Mora D.C. , Chen H. , Feldman S.R. , Arcury T.A.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • b Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • c Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • d Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • e Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • f Department of Dermatology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
  • g Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States

Abstract

Background: Manual labor employment occurs in environments with exposures likely to impact skin-related quality of life (SRQOL). Objectives: The objectives of this paper are to (1) document the dimensions of SRQOL, (2) examine its association with skin symptoms, and (3) identify the predictors of SRQOL in Latino manual workers. Methods: A population-based survey of 733 Latino manual workers obtained Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and skin symptoms in the prior year. Results: Two-thirds of workers were employed in production. Skin symptoms in prior year were reported by 23%. Impaired SRQOL was reported by 23%. In multivariate analyses, reduced SRQOL was associated with age, occupation, childhood indigenous language use, and experience of skin symptoms in the prior year. Conclusions: Despite overall high SRQOL exposures in some immigrant occupational groups produce reduce SRQOL. This rural, immigrant population faces significant obstacles to obtaining dermatological care; efforts are needed to improve their SRQOL. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author Keywords

Immigrant health Survey occupational health Manual workers Poultry processing workers

Index Keywords

food industry building industry human statistics and numerical data construction industry Hispanic Americans quality of life Young Adult Humans migrant Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors Agricultural Workers' Diseases Dermatitis, Occupational adult age Age Factors Food-Processing Industry
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84897575091&doi=10.1002%2fajim.22291&partnerID=40&md5=66737eb71fe1d1527a6e6874c736aff1
DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22291
ISSN: 02713586
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English