PURPOSE: This cohort study is among the first to estimate the prevalence of and examine potential risk factors for severe back pain (resulting in medical care, 4+ hours of time lost, or pain lasting 1+ weeks) among adolescent farmworkers. These youth often perform tasks requiring bent/stooped postures and heavy lifting. METHODS: Of 2536 students who participated (response rate across the three public high schools, 61.2% to 83.9%), 410 students were farmworkers (largely Hispanic and migrant). Students completed a self-administered Web-based survey including farm work/nonfarm work and back-pain items relating to a 9-month period. RESULTS: The prevalence of severe back pain was 15.7% among farmworkers and 12.4% among nonworkers. The prevalence increased to 19.1% among farm workers (n = 131) who also did nonfarm work. A multiple logistic regression for farmworkers showed that significantly increased adjusted odds ratios for severe back pain were female sex (4.59); prior accident/back injury (9.04); feeling tense, stressed, or anxious sometimes/often (4.11); lifting/carrying heavy objects not at work (2.98); current tobacco use (2.79); 6+ years involved in migrant farm work (5.02); working with/around knives (3.87); and working on corn crops (3.40). CONCLUSIONS: Areas for further research include ergonomic exposure assessments and examining the effects of doing farm work and nonfarm work simultaneously.
PURPOSE: This cohort study is among the first to estimate the prevalence of and examine potential risk factors for severe back pain (resulting in medical care, 4+ hours of time lost, or pain lasting 1+ weeks) among adolescent farmworkers. These youth often perform tasks requiring bent/stooped postures and heavy lifting. METHODS: Of 2536 students who participated (response rate across the three public high schools, 61.2% to 83.9%), 410 students were farmworkers (largely Hispanic and migrant). Students completed a self-administered Web-based survey including farm work/nonfarm work and back-pain items relating to a 9-month period. RESULTS: The prevalence of severe back pain was 15.7% among farmworkers and 12.4% among nonworkers. The prevalence increased to 19.1% among farm workers (n = 131) who also did nonfarm work. A multiple logistic regression for farmworkers showed that significantly increased adjusted odds ratios for severe back pain were female sex (4.59); prior accident/back injury (9.04); feeling tense, stressed, or anxious sometimes/often (4.11); lifting/carrying heavy objects not at work (2.98); current tobacco use (2.79); 6+ years involved in migrant farm work (5.02); working with/around knives (3.87); and working on corn crops (3.40). CONCLUSIONS: Areas for further research include ergonomic exposure assessments and examining the effects of doing farm work and nonfarm work simultaneously.
Authors: Thomas A Arcury; Taylor J Arnold; Dana C Mora; Joanne C Sandberg; Stephanie S Daniel; Melinda F Wiggins; Sara A Quandt Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2019-09-04 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Sara A Quandt; Taylor J Arnold; Dana C Mora; Joanne C Sandberg; Stephanie S Daniel; Thomas A Arcury Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2019-08-22 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Sara A Quandt; Taylor J Arnold; Jennifer W Talton; Christopher M Miles; Dana C Mora; Thomas A Arcury; Stephanie S Daniel Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2021-05-18 Impact factor: 3.079
Authors: Thomas A Arcury; Taylor J Arnold; Sara A Quandt; Haiying Chen; Gregory D Kearney; Joanne C Sandberg; Jennifer W Talton; Melinda F Wiggins; Stephanie S Daniel Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-12-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Thomas A Arcury; Sara A Quandt; Taylor J Arnold; Haiying Chen; Stephanie S Daniel Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2020-10 Impact factor: 2.162