Annals of Epidemiology
Volume 18, Issue 1, 2008, Pages 1-7

Estimating the Occupational Morbidity for Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers in New York State: A Comparison of Two Methods (Article)

Earle-Richardson G.B. , Brower M.A.* , Jones A.M. , May J.J. , Jenkins P.L.
  • a New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY, United States
  • b New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY, United States
  • c New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY, United States
  • d New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Bassett Healthcare, Cooperstown, NY, United States
  • e Bassett Research Institute, Cooperstown, NY, United States

Abstract

Purpose: Compare occupational morbidity estimates for migrant and seasonal farmworkers obtained from survey methods versus chart review methods and estimate the proportion of morbidity treated at federally recognized migrant health centers (MHCs) in a highly agricultural region of New York. Methods: We simultaneously conducted 1) an occupational injury and illness survey among agricultural workers, 2) MHC chart reviews, and 3) hospital emergency room (ER) chart reviews. Results: Of the 24 injuries reported by 550 survey subjects, 54.2% received treatment at MHCs, 16.7% at ERs, 16.7% at some other facility, and 12.5% were untreated. For injuries treated at MHCs or ERs, the incidence density based on survey methods was 29.3 injuries per 10,000 worker-weeks versus 27.4 by chart review. The standardized morbidity ratio for this comparison was 1.07 (95% confidence intervals = 0.65-1.77). Conclusions: Survey data indicated that 71% of agricultural injury and illness can be captured with MHC and ER chart review. MHC and ER incidence density estimates show strong correspondence between the two methods. A chart review-based surveillance system, in conjunction with a correction factor based on periodic worker surveys, would provide a cost-effective estimate of the occupational illness and injury rate in this population. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Migrant workers Agricultural workers Injuries and Occupational Diseases

Index Keywords

demography Population Surveillance agricultural worker human middle aged controlled study Agriculture priority journal Occupational Diseases Aged morbidity emergency ward intermethod comparison United States migrant worker Humans occupational accident New York Medical Records Adolescent Incidence Article major clinical study adult Transients and Migrants health center Accidents, Occupational health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-36549003196&doi=10.1016%2fj.annepidem.2007.07.092&partnerID=40&md5=f1a3a80c194fc602431f6b826af7f64f
DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2007.07.092
ISSN: 10472797
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English