Authors
Salazar-MK; Napolitano-M; Scherer-JA; McCauley-LA
Source
West J Nurs Res 2004 Mar; 26(2):146-166
Abstract
The migrant farmworker population in the United States is a vulnerable and understudied population whose characteristics are constantly shifting. The number of youth involved in agriculture work is increasing, and they, in particular, may be at increased risk for occupational hazards, such as pesticide exposure. The present study utilized an ecological framework for focus group discussions with 33 adolescent migrant farmworkers in Oregon. Adolescents' risk perception and health beliefs associated with pesticide exposure are examined on four levels of environmental influence: microenvironment, organizational environment, social/community environment, and macroenvironment. Adolescents provided insight on such topics as perceived vulnerability of illness due to pesticide exposure, attitudes toward farmwork, influence of their boss, knowledge of occupational hazards, safety training, and barriers to occupational choice. Cultural influences on occupational safety and health are discussed and increased attention to safety training is recommended.
Keywords
Agricultural-workers; Pesticides-and-agricultural-chemicals; Pesticides; Farmers; Worker-health; Environmental-exposure; Age-factors; Age-groups; Children
Contact
Occupational Health Nursing Program, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle
Document Type
Journal Article
Identifying No.
Grant-Number-R01-OH-004230
Priority Area
Work Environment and Workforce: Special Populations
Source Name
Western Journal of Nursing Research
Performing Organization
Center for Research on Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97201-3098