Query: health problems among farmers

title: Psychological distance of climate change and mental health risks assessment of smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana: Is habituation a threat to climate change?
abstract: Although strong evidence shows climate change has physical impacts on human health, the mental health impacts appear unclear. The study aims to understand and explain the dynamic correlates between climate change and farmers' emotional regulation practices, given psychological distance. Using 180 smallholder farmers in Northern Ghana, structural equation linear regression analysis showed that given psychological distance (geographical, social) different climate change indicators significantly influenced different emotional regulation practices among farmers. Although, studies show an association between climate change and climate change adaptation practices, the study revealed that, given psychological distance, emotional regulations of farmers predicted their preferences for different climate change adaptation techniques. It is concluded that the influence of climate change on farmers' emotional regulation practices seems to predispose them to future mental (emotional) health problems. Emotional regulation also appears to be a significant factor that climate change and mental health interventionists need to pay attention to.

title: Occupational exposure to pesticide and associated health problems in Kenya s floriculture industry
abstract: Pesticides are widely used in agricultural production to prevent or control pests, diseases, weeds, and other plant pathogens in an effort to reduce or eliminate yield losses and maintain high product quality. Although pesticides are developed through very strict regulation processes to function with reasonable certainty and minimal impact on human health. Non protective work practices followed by farm workers during spraying of pesticides lead to occupational exposure among them. Despite their popularity and extensive use, pesticides serious concerns about health risks arising from the exposure of farmers when mixing and applying pesticides or working in treated fields.  This was a comparative prospective cohort study to investigate Illnesses and symptoms associated with pesticide exposure among floricultural workers.  A questionnaire based survey was conducted using structured interviews, multiple visits, and direct field observations among study subjects at baseline and every three months consecutively for forty eight (48) months and same thing for clinical examination.  Most of the respondents reported getting sick (53% only 31% of them received medical attention. Majority 58% reported that sickness was as a result of occupational exposure to pesticides during application in the field. A significant proportion of the respondents fifty three percent (53% complained of coughing, sneezing, dyspnea and wheezing while fifty one percent (51% reported having skin rash, itching and other skin conditions. Significant proportion forty nine percent (49% complained of itchy, painful and tearing eyes. Level of training, Occupation, duration of handling pesticide was significant and strong predictor of reported illnesses.  Unsafe occupational exposure to pesticides causes work related disease symptoms among floricultural workers.

title: 97 Health problem of indian farmers due to excessive heat exposure and preventive measures
abstract: India is primarily an agrarian economy as farming is one of the most important occupations in country. However numbers of studies have classified farming as a risky and hazardous job because of the nature of farm work. Farm workers are particularly at higher risk of developing health problems. The drastic change in the world wide climate has created too much problems among farmers. Most of farm operations in India are still accomplished manually under direct sunshine. These entire factors, makes farm operation quite dangerous. The exposure to hot occupational environment remains a persistent impediment to improve productivity and problems affecting health. Health problems that result from heat stress are known as heat disorders.  The study was undertaken to find out the health problems experienced by farmers and to design, develop and disseminate PPE to safe guard farmers from the impact of excessive heat.  It was revealed that majority of farmers were working for more than 7 hours in squatting and bending position under direct sunshine which was promoting heat disorders resulting from heavy physical work leading to loss of fluid and salt resulting in heat cramp, heat exhaustion,etc, Prevalence of above factors is more common among farmers due to unawareness and lack of knowledge about associated heat exposure risks, leading to poor adaption of preventive and protective measures. Further, incidence of MSDs among the farmers was reported by majority. The long working hours and posture adopted resulted more in body pain/discomfort. While disseminating the PPE, the acceptability among the farm workers was reported to be very high.  The pace with which global average temperature is rising, there arise a need to protect the outdoor workers from heat related illnesses. Creating awareness and developing of PPE to safeguard has now become a matter of concern worldwide.

title: Factors Associated with Helminthiasis among Vegetable Farmers in Barito Kuala District
abstract: Infections caused by soil transmitted helminth (STH) are one of the global health problems. Farmers were one group that has a high risk infected by helminth. This study aimed to determine the association of the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other factors with helminthiasis among vegetable farmers in Barito Kuala District, South Kalimantan Province.  Population and sample in this study were vegetable farmers and these samples were taken randomly. This study was an analytical study with a case control design. Chi square, binary logistic regression and SPSS was used for statistical analysis.  This study showed male farmers, elementary educated farmers and these farmers do not have hands washing habit. Farmers who have to consume of raw foods habit more than once per week have a greater risk of getting infected by helminth. This study showed more helminth infections occur in farmers who do not use personal protective equipment.  Current study found that helminthiasis was significantly associated with the use of complete personal protective equipment, gender, education level, hand washing habit and habit of consuming raw foods. It was advisable for vegetable farmers to always use personal protective equipment when farmed and to keep good personal hygiene.

title: A Cross Sectional Study of Stressors Among Farmers in Eastern North Carolina
abstract: Agriculture is a hazardous, stressful occupation that can adversely affect farmers' health. Identifying stressors among farmers may help health professionals improve health outcomes by developing targeted intervention strategies and services.  Over a 4 month period, we conducted a cross sectional study of 128 farmers in an economically disadvantaged, 29 county region of Eastern North Carolina. We used a modified version of the Farm Ranch Stress Inventory to measure farmers' self reported reactions to potential stressors.  The majority of farmers surveyed were aged 40 59 years, had farmed for more than 20 years, and worked more than 40 hours per week on the farm. Large proportions of respondents identified the following factors as "very stressful" concern about the weather (60.2% concern over the future of the farm (29.7% outsiders not understanding the nature of farming (25.2% problems with machinery (23.4% market prices for crops/livestock (45.3% taxes (38.3% health care costs (32.5% and not having enough time to spend with family in recreation (13.3% Experiencing 8 or more factors as "very stressful" was found to be positively associated with working more than 40 hours per week on the farm (P .008) and with being a farm manager or a farm worker who does not operate equipment (P .001) CONCLUSIONS Information about perceived stressors among farmers may help health professionals develop targeted interventions for reducing stress. More research is needed to better evaluate health outcomes, to reduce farm related injuries, and to improve psychosocial well being.

title: Pesticide usage and its association with health symptoms among farmers in rural villages in West Java, Indonesia.
abstract: The improper handling of pesticides in agriculture has caused serious health problems in many developing countries. In this study, we report the pesticide usage condition among Indonesian farmers and its association with symptoms of pesticide toxicity. A questionnaire survey on personal history regarding agricultural labor, pesticide storage and disposal, pesticide use and health history was conducted using a structured questionnaire in rural Sundanese villages in West Java, Indonesia. The most frequently used pesticides included dithiocarbamates, pyrethroids and organophosphates. In approximately 80% of sprayings, category II pesticides (World Health Organization (WHO) categorization; "moderately hazardous" were used. Many of the subject farmers worked in a highly unsafe occupational environment; protective measures and safe handling were rarely observed, whereas smoking and drinking during spraying were frequently practiced. Correlation analysis revealed that farmers who wore a long sleeve shirt and headgear showed health symptoms less frequently. Moreover, farmers who had skin contact with the spray solution during measuring or mixing (excluding the hands) who wore wet clothing (skin exposure to pesticide) and who smoked and rubbed their eyes during spraying showed more symptoms. Among these factors, headgear use, wearing wet clothing (skin exposure to pesticide) and smoking during spraying were the significant determining factors for developing health symptoms. Preventing such behaviors will be an effective method of reducing health problems among the subject farmers.

title: Job Resources and Work Engagement among Finnish Dairy Farmers
abstract: The aims of this study were to examine job resources, work engagement and Finnish dairy farmers' preferences concerning methods to enhance overall well being while working on farms.  A postal survey yielded 265 completed questionnaires from 188 dairy farms. The sample was assessed as representative of Finnish dairy farmers. Exploratory factor analysis and a linear mixed model were utilized during the data analyzing process.  The variables lowering work engagement were stressors related to the workload and problems with health. Elevated work engagement was associated with the factors work with farm animals and family. The most important resource variables were "child or children," "own family," and "animal health." Female dairy farmers considered resource variables related to the family, love, and work with cattle as significantly more important than male dairy farmers. Male dairy farmers experienced higher work engagement and, concerning the dimensions, especially higher dedication and absorption than male respondents in a reference sample of workers in difference occupations. A sustainable farm economy and the possibility to have a holiday period were the most important methods to improve overall well being on dairy farms.  The results indicate that the family, working with cattle, healthy farm animals, a reasonable workload, and a sustainable farm economy have the capacity to create positive impacts on well being among dairy farmers. Well being on farms is a part of sustainable food production.

title: Using Action Research to prevent work related illness among rubber farmers in Northeastern Thailand
abstract: This research aimed to enhance self care among rubber farmers for preventing work related illness.  The project used Action Research's four phase iterative process: fact finding to understand the problems, action planning, action plan implementation, and evaluation and reflection on action plan impacts. Sixty six participants (46 rubber farmers and 20 community stakeholders) were purposively recruited from two villages in the top 10 rubber producing provinces in Northeastern Thailand.  Demographic and work related illness data were collected in face to face structured interviews, Focus group interviews and participant observations were used to collect data in each project phase. Night group meetings were held throughout the research phases. The intervention included training workshops and establishing a community health education team for ongoing farmer support.  Results showed improved farmer self care behaviors and establishment of a community health education team to encourage farmers to care for themselves properly.  Community nurses, other health personnel, and the Thai government can build on initiatives like this to strengthen occupational health and safety practices and services policy for rubber farmers.

title: Gender Differences in Depressive Symptoms and Work Environment Factors among Dairy Farmers in Japan
abstract: Dairy farmers are more likely than nonfarmers to experience high demands and are at risk of mental health problems. However, there is scarce evidence on the current state of psychological health and related factors among dairy farmers, and the knowledge of potential gender differences is limited. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES D) and its association with work environment characteristics and to identify gender differences. Data were collected from 273 dairy farmer participants (169 males and 104 females) in Japan. Females were more likely to be depressed, and young and middle aged women appeared to be at risk of depression. For both genders, a demanding work environment was related to depression. There were some gender differences; for example, worries about the harmful effects of pesticides on health and the balancing of family roles and work roles were related to depression in men, while worries about one's financial situation and the health status of livestock were associated with depression in women. Females benefited from support through direct interaction, while males benefited from involvement in social activities. These findings will contribute to the development of a gender specific approach to promote psychological health in the dairy farming community.

title: Longitudinal Study of Metabolic Biomarkers among Conventional and Organic Farmers in Thailand
abstract: The aim of this longitudinal study is to assess how pesticide use may impact metabolic biomarkers by collecting and comparing data from conventional (n 13) and organic farmers (n 225) every eight months for four rounds. Farmers were interviewed about family health history, food consumption behaviors, self reported health problems, agricultural activities, and history of pesticide use. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) were measured. Blood samples were collected for total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) high density lipoprotein (HDL) blood glucose, and triglycerides. A linear mixed model with random intercepts for subjects was used to compare the metabolic biomarkers between conventional and organic farmers and to examine the impact of the number of pesticide spray days for all four rounds after controlling for covariates. The conventional farmers reported using insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. The marginal means for chemical farmers were significantly higher than organic farmers for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, and waist circumference. Increasing the number of days of spraying either insecticides or fungicides was associated with an increase in HDL, LDL, and cholesterol levels. Increasing the number of herbicide spray days was associated with an increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and a decrease in BMI. These findings suggest that pesticide using conventional farmers may be at higher risk of metabolic disease in the future.