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Public health impact of heat-related illness among migrant farmworkers.

Authors

Fleischer-NL; Tiesman-HM; Sumitani-J; Mize-T; Amarnath-KK; Bayakly-AR; Murphy-MW

Source

Am J Prev Med 2013 Mar; 44(3):199-206

Link

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2012.10.020 

NIOSHTIC No.

20042242 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Migrant farmworkers are at risk for heat-related illness (HRI) at work. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine which risk factors could potentially reduce the prevalence of HRI symptoms among migrant farmworkers in Georgia. METHODS: Trained interviewers conducted in-person interviews of adults who attended the South Georgia Farmworker Health Project clinics in June 2011. The analysis was conducted in 2011-2012. Population intervention models were used to assess where the greatest potential impact could be made to reduce the prevalence of HRI symptoms. RESULTS: In total, 405 farmworkers participated. One third of participants had experienced three or more HRI symptoms in the preceding week. Migrant farmworkers faced barriers to preventing HRI at work, including lack of prevention training (77%) and no access to regular breaks (34%); shade (27%); or medical attention (26%). The models showed that the prevalence of three or more HRI symptoms (n=361, 34.3%) potentially could be reduced by increasing breaks in the shade (-9.2%); increasing access to medical attention (-7.3%); reducing soda intake (-6.7%); or increasing access to regular breaks (-6.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Migrant farmworkers experienced high levels of HRI symptoms and faced substantial barriers to preventing these symptoms. Although data are cross-sectional, results suggest that heat-related illness may be reduced through appropriate training of workers on HRI prevention, as well as regular breaks in shaded areas.

Keywords

Farmers; Agriculture; Agricultural-workers; Sociological-factors; Demographic-characteristics; Workers; Humans; Men; Women; Heat; Heat-exhaustion; Heat-exposure; Heat-stress; Heat-stroke

Contact

Nancy L. Fleischer, PhD, University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health, 800 Sumter Street, Columbia SC 29208

CODEN

AJPMEA

Publication Date

20130301

Document Type

Journal Article

Email Address

nfleischer@sc.edu

Fiscal Year

2013

NTIS Accession No.

NTIS Price

Identifying No.

B20130306

Issue of Publication

3

ISSN

0749-3797

NIOSH Division

DSR

Source Name

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

State

GA; WV; IN