Work-related injuries among Iowa farm operators: an analysis of the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project

Am J Ind Med. 1998 May;33(5):510-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0274(199805)33:5<510::aid-ajim11>3.0.co;2-0.

Abstract

In 1994, the Iowa Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project carried out a two-stage, stratified, cluster survey of Iowa farms using a mail survey. With data from this representative sample of Iowa farmers, we examined the associations between farm-work-related injuries and possible risk factors for 390 principal farm operators. Forty (10.3%) of these operators reported being injured while doing farm work. We developed a logistic regression to assess associations between potential risk factors and injury. We found three factors significantly associated with injury: younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 3.1, confidence interval [CI] = 1.1-9.3), having an impairment or health problem that limits work (OR = 2.4, CI = 1.5-3.8), and hand or arm exposure to acids or alkalis (OR = 2.6, CI = 1.1-5.9). In the univariate analysis, safety training did not seem to protect farmers from injuries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Agriculture*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iowa / epidemiology
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Population Surveillance*
  • Risk Factors