Potential Risk Factors for WorkRelated Musculoskeletal Pain to Hired Crop Workers in the US John R Myers and Larry A Layne National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health The findings and conclusions in this Presentation are those of the ID: 762331
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Potential Risk Factors for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain to Hired Crop Workers in the U.S. John R. Myers and Larry A. Layne National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health The findings and conclusions in this Presentation are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
National Agricultural Workers Survey National survey of hired crop workers in the U.S. U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Training Administration Began in 1989 Main focus: crop worker labor force stability, demographics, work histories, and economics
National Agricultural Workers Survey 1999-2004 NIOSH occupational health supplemental modules Injury: 1999, 2002-2004 Musculoskeletal pain: 1999-2004 Dermatitis: 1999-2003 Health conditions: 1999-2004 asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, tuberculosis, heart disease, urinary tract infections
Methods
Methods: NAWS Retrospective, cross sectional study Survey of the Continental U.S.--Excludes Hawaii and Alaska Personal interview in worker’s primary language Conducted in a location chosen by worker Core questionnaire and supplemental modules All hired crop workers eligible Complex sampling weights
Methods Demographic information on hired crop workers: General : Age, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, Education, Language Time of interview : Region, Migration pattern, US farm work experience, Health problems, Type of crop, Type of work, Socio-economic information
Methods Musculoskeletal pain module: Number of self-reported complaints of pain during the past year Farm work-related events only
Methods Modeling using SAS Proc Surveylogistic Outcome = incidence of musculoskeletal complaints divided by weeks of farm work (adjusted range to be 0 - 1) 34 statistically significant independent variables from univariate models ( α =0.05) Multivariate model of these 34 variables Backwards elimination approach
Results
Basic Survey Results Survey response: Operator participation rate: 69% Crop worker participation rate: 94% Number of interviewed hired crop workers just over 20,000
Musculoskeletal Pain, 1999-2004 Musculoskeletal pain complaints (MPC): Weighted estimate = 4,021 complaints Crude incidence = 43.3 MPC/100 FTE WB
23 independent variables were associated with the incidence of musculoskeletal pain ( α =0.05) 8 demographic, 5 employment , 10 socio-economic
Demographic variables: Age Sex Education Marital status Region Years of farm work in U.S. Health conditions English speaking skills
Demographic: Health conditions Demographic: Sex Illnesses OR adj L95% U95% 2 ≥ illnesses 2.13 1.78 2.55 1 illness 1.58 1.36 1.72No illnesses1.00------SexORadjL95% U95% Female1.661.471.87Male1.00------
Demographic: Education Demographic: Education Formal Education OR adj L95% U95% None 1.51 1. 20 1.90 Any education 1.00------ Region ORadjL95% U95%California1.501.221.85Southeast1.401.131.74 Southwest1.320.991.75Midwest1.271.021.57 West1.260.991.60East1.00------
Employment variables: Workers ’ compensation coverage Crop currently harvesting Task currently doing Employer provided tools/equipment Employer provided clean drinking water
Employment: Workers’ compensation Employment: Current crop worked on Known Coverage OR adj L95% U95% None 1.83 1.58 2.13 Medical or indemnity 1.431.261.63Medical & indemnity 1.00------CropORadjL95% U95%Multiple1.60 1.222.10Fruit & nuts1.541.291.85 Vegetables1.531.291.82Field crops1.511.241.83Horticultural 1.00------
Socio-economic variables: Migrant type Farm work income Home ownership US owned assets Housing arrangements Used unemployment insurance past year Used U.S. healthcare past 2 years Healthcare payment method Number of Social services used Below minimum wage
Socio-economic: Used U.S. health care Socio-economic: Healthcare payment method Used healthcare OR adj L95% U95% Yes 1.96 1.20 3.43 No 1.00 ------How paid ORadj L95% U95%Did not pay1.991.362.91Employer/WC1.171.001.37None used1.190.682.07Other insurance1.00------
Socio-economic: Farm work income Socio-economic: Migrant type Income OR adj L95% U95% None 2.18 1.63 2.91 < $15,000 1.09 0.971.22≥ $15,0001.00 ------Migrant typeORadjL95% U95%Shuttle1.721.44 2.06Settled1.120.951.33Follow the crop1.00 ------
Summary
Summary The average incidence of musculoskeletal pain complaints was even higher—43.3 complaints/100 FTE WB . Twenty-three of 34 independent variables were significantly associated with incidence of musculoskeletal pain in multivariate model Mixture of demographic, employment, and socio-economic variables.
Summary Workers reporting responsible employment practices had lower odds of musculoskeletal complaints: Told about workers’ compensation coverage Provided fresh drinking water/cups Provided tools and equipment
Summary Some variables suggest young/new workers have higher odds of musculoskeletal pain: <20 years old highest adjusted odds ratio ≤ 1 year U.S. farm work No previous farm work income
Summary Other key potential risk factors: Female worker No reported education Shuttle migrant Reporting other health issues
Future Work Work with NIOSH Ag centers, employers, and farm worker groups to address factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal pain Need to focus on female farm workers and new hired crop workers Approaches need tailored to low income workers with little formal education
Limitations Cross-sectional survey Self-reported pain by farm workers Small number of farm workers covered by the survey in some regions
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