Journal of Agromedicine最新文献

Objectives: Commercial fishing is one of the most dangerous industries in the United States, and although injuries have been a prominent focus for research, some health and safety risk factors such as sleep are understudied. In this paper, data from a multi-modal research study of sleep patterns, lifestyle factors, occupational exposures, medical histories, and health assessments in four U.S. fisheries are used to explore the connections between pain and sleep.

Methods: A mixture of randomized cluster sampling, study promotions, and dockside recruitment was utilized to gather a sufficient number of fishermen in the Alaska Salmon, Oregon Dungeness Crab, Massachusetts Scallop, and Massachusetts Lobster fisheries for the study. Fishermen were surveyed about sleep patterns, occupational exposures, and lifestyle factors. Surveyed fishermen were provided with free comprehensive health assessments by occupational health nurses and physicians or Advanced Practice Providers. Data were collected in REDCap and downloaded into SAS for analysis using a variety of analytic methods.

Results: A total of 262 surveys and 162 physical examinations were completed with captains and crew members in the four fisheries targeted for study. The average self-reported consecutive hours of sleep for fisheries workers that spend several days at sea (i.e. Crab, Scallop, and Salmon fisheries) were roughly 3.5 to 4.0 h in a 24-h period. Of particular note, the majority of fishermen, regardless of fishery, suffered from back pain, and roughly 40% of fishermen noted pain and discomfort significantly impede their ability to sleep.

Conclusions: This study underscores the connections between musculoskeletal pain and sleep, providing yet further impetus for preventing musculoskeletal injuries among fishermen. Given the ties between existing sleep debt in the industry and the health and safety risks posed by repeated exposure to insufficient sleep, this study highlights the need for the prevention of these injuries and potentially better treatment options for fishermen who suffer from musculoskeletal disorders.

Objective: Our paper focuses on the psychosocial risks faced by fishers in Aotearoa New Zealand, a sector with limited existing research on this topic. Using a culture-centered approach (CCA), we aimed to develop "voice infrastructure" to capture and present the voices of fishers, addressing the structural inequalities that can often leave fishers (like other marginalized groups) unheard. This paper focuses on the methodology of our pilot project that used a collaborative effort between academics, fishers, government, and non-government agencies, with the goal of understanding and mitigating the psychosocial risks within the commercial fishing industry.

Method: Phase 1 focused on building trust and personal relationships within the fishing community. We organized a day-long hui (meeting) in Nelson, a key fishing port, to facilitate open and flexible interactions. This setting allowed us to co-create the research design and instruments with the fishers, ensuring their perspectives were central to the study. The Copenhagen Psychosocial Risks Questionnaire (COPSOQ) was adapted in consultation with the fishers and piloted as survey (in phase 2) through a support network.

Results: Fishers acknowledged the need for wellbeing research and supported using the adapted COPSOQ. Data collection was inherently challenging in the fishing sector, due to the nature of the work with long shifts, limited communication, and minimal downtime. Trained mentors and counsellors administered the survey and ensured the process was fisher-centric and sensitive to their needs. Following data collection, a second hui (phase 3) was held to provide feedback to fishers about the survey results and review the process. This workshop aims to refine the methodology for potential national-scale implementation. The fishers emphasized the importance of sharing findings with them to ensure data accuracy before public reporting, aligning with the principles of CCA and co-creation of "voice infrastructures."

Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the feasibility and importance of using a culture-centered approach in the fishing sector. By involving fishers in every step of the process, we aimed to create a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of the psychosocial risks they face, ultimately contributing to their wellbeing and the sustainability of the industry.

Objectives: Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) poses an occupational risk for poultry workers, responders, and others in contact with infected birds. The objective of this analysis was to describe HPAI surveillance methods and outcomes, and highlight the challenges, successes, and lessons learned during the Minnesota Department of Health's (MDH's) public health response to HPAI outbreaks in Minnesota poultry flocks in the years 2015 and 2022-2023.

Methods: During both outbreaks, MDH staff attempted to contact all potentially exposed people and conduct a standardized interview. People were considered exposed and at risk if they had entered a barn with poultry on any HPAI test-positive premises. With their consent, exposed persons were entered into illness monitoring until 10 days from their last exposure. In 2015, MDH monitored the health of poultry workers only. In the 2022-2023 response, MDH monitored the health of poultry workers, backyard flock owners, responders, and private contract workers. In 2022-2023, interview responses were entered into a REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) database in real time, which automatically entered the person into monitoring if they consented. Through REDCap, they received an automated email with a unique link to a short survey asking about any symptom development. Where appropriate, interview responses from poultry workers collected in 2015 were compared to interview responses from poultry workers collected in 2022-2023.

Results: From March 3 to June 5, 2015, MDH epidemiologists interviewed and evaluated 375 (86%) of 435 poultry workers from 110 HPAI-infected flocks. From March 25, 2022 through December 31, 2023, MDH epidemiologists interviewed and evaluated 649 (65%) of 992 poultry workers, responders, contractors, and backyard flock owners associated with 151 HPAI-infected flocks. Among poultry workers, self-reported personal protective equipment (PPE) usage declined significantly from 2015 to 2022-2023 (full PPE usage 51.8% vs. 23.9%, p < .01).

Conclusion: MDH's long standing relationships with animal health officials and the poultry industry resulted in strong poultry worker participation rates in surveillance efforts during HPAI outbreaks in 2015 and 2022-2023. Self-reported PPE usage was low, particularly in 2022-2023. Improvements in PPE accessibility and technology are needed to protect workers and responders in the on-going HPAI outbreak.

Objective: In 2019/2020, the Brazilian coast was affected by the largest oil spill disaster affecting the extent of the coastline recorded in tropical oceans. The impact on fishing areas and the prohibition of seafood sales and consumption exacerbated small-scale fishers' vulnerability. The small-scale fishers (SSFs) were the most active in protecting fishing territories, carrying out cleanup efforts without adequate personal protective equipment. Following the disaster, they suffered significant economic losses, compromising food security, including consuming potentially unsafe seafood. About 5000 tons of oil residues were collected, mainly by artisanal fishers. This study aimed to describe and identify levels of exposure to oil spills in the artisanal fishers, the population affected by the disaster on the Brazilian coast.

Methods: This epidemiological cross-sectional study used a questionnaire containing 325 questions, administered to 959 artisanal fishers living in areas affected by the spill. The graded response model of the Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to classify the artisanal fishers regarding their level of exposure.

Results: The model identified three levels of exposure: low (17.5%), medium (19.8%), and high (7.6%) in oil removal and fishing activities.

Conclusions: This study demonstrated that SSFs residing in areas affected by the oil spill showed different levels of oil exposure during oil removal activities and fishing/shellfishing activities. The results highlight the need for environmental monitoring of fishing territories, prioritizing these populations in disaster preparedness training, and including social, health, and labor assistance policies during and after oil spill disasters. This study contributes to planning integrated solutions for small-scale fishing programs.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the working and health conditions faced by hookah divers in small-scale fisheries in the Midriff Islands Region of the Gulf of California, Mexico.

Methods: The study was conducted in five fishing communities. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 113 fishers (~15% of the commercial divers in the region). Non-probabilistic snowball sampling was used to identify participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics; a Chi-squared test was used to identify significant correlations.

Results: Most respondents (98%) were men (average age of 41 years), with an average of 17.6 years of commercial diving experience. Only 27% of the divers were certified scuba divers, and 40% had received some type of dive training. Notably, 64% of divers had some chronic illness, and 75% had suffered some type of diving-related injury. Marine animal bites were the most common type of injury. The majority of respondents (97%) fished without the proper permits, and 67% did not have access to social insurance. Lastly, 50% had suffered symptoms of decompression sickness.

Conclusion: The conditions surrounding the employment and health of hookah divers are extremely precarious in the Midriff Islands Region, as has been identified in other parts of the world. This study highlights the need to improve working conditions, implement appropriate training programs, and establish public policies that benefit the divers and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

Aquaculture is a significant sector in Brazil, ranking as the second-largest aquaculture producer in the Latin American and Caribbean region. Despite its importance, the industry poses various risks to workers' health and safety. This study investigates the diseases and injuries prevalent in Brazilian aquaculture through a survey of stakeholders. Through an online questionnaire distributed from March 2021 to April 2022, the study collected data on work-related illnesses and injuries in aquaculture. Among the 38 valid responses, the majority of injuries occurred among male workers aged between 21 and 35 years-old. Common injuries included falls, animal-related incidents, cuts, punctures, and electrical shocks. Notably, two fatalities were reported, emphasizing the importance of safety measures in aquaculture operations. The findings underscore the need for preventive measures and worker and farmer awareness initiatives to mitigate risks in aquaculture. Moreover, the study emphasizes the collective responsibility of employers, authorities, government agencies, and workers in ensuring a safe work environment in aquaculture.

Objective: Electrical hazards on farms are one of the occupational risks that contributes to farm injury and fatality. Whilst electricity accounts for a low number of farm injuries each year, it is disproportionately fatal. The aim of this study is to raise the awareness of electrical safety on farms by providing an overview of the literature that explores the evidence of farmers' perception of electrical risk. The review sought evidence of farmers' efforts to promote electrical safety awareness and uptake of electrocution prevention strategies.

Method: A rapid review was performed following the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Method Group and PRISMA guidelines, searching grey and peer-reviewed databases with criteria that included both farming and electrical risk. This resulted in 35 key articles of interest and five themes.

Results: The prevalent causes and contributing factors of electrical incidents and near misses on farms is not easily explained. Farmers overlook its presence as one of the hazards on farm, but at the same time the element of danger or threat of electrocution deters farmers from taking unnecessary risks. The data to profile farmers at risk of electrical injury is inadequate however the scope of risk is described through five themes: epidemiology, risk perception, exposure, intervention and prevention.

Conclusion: Due to the seriousness of electrical injury, intervention and prevention strategies need to specifically address electrical hazards rather than incorporate electricity as a risk into all of the hazards found on farms. The review recommends future work that engages with Australian farmers and farm workers to better understand their experience of electricity exposures, the risks they are willing to take around overhead powerlines, and their insights into how to make working on farms safer.

Objectives: Health and well-being have long been identified as key issues for investigation within agricultural communities. While myriad studies have been conducted to investigate causation, impact, outcomes and interventions among farming populations, the overall emphasis has been disproportionately weighted away from the experiences of women. This systematic scoping review determines the prevalence of topics, identifies the target populations and geographical locations of studies, outlines methodological approaches to the subject area, and summarizes the key findings and conclusions of the available literature.

Methods: With the guidance of the Arksey and O'Malley framework for conducting a scoping review, a single database search for publications focusing on the health and well-being of women in farming (including primary farmers, members of farm households, and farmworkers), in the Global North, published between 1990 and 2023, was conducted. Data were organized, thematically coded, critically appraised and analyzed using the systematic review online tool CADIMA.

Results: In total, 93 studies met the inclusion criteria for full review. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States, with the number of publications steadily increasing since the 1990s. Of studies, 68% were wholly quantitative in nature, and 23% wholly qualitative. Key findings suggest women are at particular risk from certain illnesses associated with some aspects of agricultural work and face a number of stressors (including gender-specific issues) that can lower well-being, but evidence is scarce in a number of areas. Clear gaps in research exist in relation to reproductive health, caring responsibilities, or help-seeking and support. Women primary farmer and farmworkers are particularly neglected as study cohorts.

Conclusion: Numbers of studies related to the health and well-being of women in farming are still relatively small in comparison with the wider body of related literature, and there exists an obvious need for further studies with a specific emphasis on particular cohorts, issues pertaining to the contemporary climate, and issues specific to women, as well as greater geographical reach. By emphasizing such research gaps, opportunities exist to improve the health and well-being situation of women in agriculture through more explicit studies with the intention of developing more effective, targeted solutions.