Acute occupational injury among adolescent farmworkers from South Texas

Abstract

PURPOSE: This combined cross-sectional/cohort study addressed research gaps by estimating the rate of non-fatal occupational injury and identifying potential determinants among a population of adolescent farmworkers who are largely Hispanic and migrant.

METHODS: The cohort included 410 farmworkers (aged 13-19 years) attending high school in South Texas along the border with Mexico. Data collection involved a self-administered, Web-based survey that solicited information on demographics, farm work variables including person-time at risk, occupational injury, health status and health risk behaviours. Cox regression was used to identify potential risk factors for non-fatal injury events experienced during a 9-month recall period.

RESULTS: Depending on the definition of injury, the rate of non-fatal injury ranged from 27.0-73.6/100 full time equivalents. Variables with an increased and statistically significant HR in an adjusted Cox model included: age groups <15 years-old (5.82) and 16 years-old (4.47), usually sleeping <8 h during the week (2.10), feeling tense, stressed or anxious sometimes/often (2.25), not watching TV (2.65), working around ditches (2.01) and detasseling (2.70).

CONCLUSIONS: The high observed rates of non-fatal injury combined with the potential negative consequences and cost of these injuries signifies a compelling need for injury prevention efforts targeting adolescent, Hispanic, farmworkers.