Sarah Tucker, Cheryl L Beseler, Jill Oatman, Aaron M Yoder
{"title":"Wearable Technology for Feedyard Safety.","authors":"Sarah Tucker, Cheryl L Beseler, Jill Oatman, Aaron M Yoder","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2578007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2578007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Cattle feedyard workers are at high risk of heat stress and illness due to being outdoors for long hours in high heat and humidity. Wearable technology has the potential to provide a warning system so that at-risk workers can take a break, move into a shaded area, and hydrate before heat illness results in lost work time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The MākuSafe wearable device was used to monitor heat warnings in 15 cattle feedyard workers. We collected environmental temperatures and heat warnings from wearable devices at a single feedyard from June 1 through September 30, 2023. We assessed the number of heat warnings and the maximum temperature where they were most likely to occur using segmented logistic regression to model the nonlinear relationship between temperature and heat warning and to understand the threshold at which heat warnings occurred. The Pseudo Score Test was used to assess for a changepoint in the logistic regression model with temperature predicting a heat warning for the number of days the wearable device was used in 15 workers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Pseudo Score Test identified a single statistically significant changepoint (<i>p</i> < .0001). The Davies test confirmed the result and estimated the change at 78°F. The covariates worker role or hours worked that day were not significantly associated with the probability of a heat warning.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings revealed that the probability of a heath warning occurring at a relatively low temperature of 78°F, which can aid workplace management with heat stress management and preparedness to protect worker health.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145349538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Baldwina Tita Olirk, Simon Henry Mamuya, Gro Tjalvin, Bente Elisabeth Moen, Aiwerasia Vera Ngowi
{"title":"Pesticide Use among Women Working in Horticultural Farms in Tanzania.","authors":"Baldwina Tita Olirk, Simon Henry Mamuya, Gro Tjalvin, Bente Elisabeth Moen, Aiwerasia Vera Ngowi","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2578012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2578012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aimed to describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to pesticide use among women, and to study the association between these variables, education and work experience in large horticultural farms in rural areas of northern Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted among 171 women farmers, using a validated KAP model questionnaire, including socio-demographic information and farm practices.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Pesticide knowledge among 133 (77.8%) women farmers was poor. Of the participants, 68% showed concern about pesticide use and adverse effects on human health, and 49.7% reported poor to moderate practices. Farmers with higher education had better knowledge and practice scores. There was a positive partial correlation between knowledge scores and years of work experience (<i>r</i> = 0.202, <i>p</i> = .023) and a positive partial correlation between practice and attitude scores (<i>r</i> = 0.213, <i>p</i> = .005), when controlling for age.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While knowledge levels about pesticides were low among women farm workers, attitudes and practices related to pesticide use were higher. More studies are needed to determine the level of training needed among these workers. This information can aid employers and local government officials in work for reducing pesticide intoxication among women working in horticultural farms, through education, motivation, and support.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145349537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carly Hyland, Isabella Kaser, Moncerrat Hernández, Dafne Cruz Rodriguez, Linda Gordon
{"title":"Evaluation of \"Agricultural Pass\" Program and Farmworkers' Experiences Working During Wildfires in Sonoma County, California.","authors":"Carly Hyland, Isabella Kaser, Moncerrat Hernández, Dafne Cruz Rodriguez, Linda Gordon","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2569371","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2569371","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Farmworkers are disproportionately exposed to and impacted by wildfire smoke, which will continue to worsen with climate change. Sonoma County is a winegrowing region in northern California that experienced record-breaking wildfires from 2017 to 2020; in 2022 the County passed an \"Ag Pass\" program that allows farm owners and full-time agricultural employees potential access to evacuated areas during disasters such as a wildfire. The goals of this study were to: 1) evaluate farmworkers' experiences working during wildfires, 2) examine implications of the Ag Pass program for farmworker health and safety, and 3) develop policy recommendations to safeguard farmworkers' health during wildfires.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We worked with a local community engagement team to administer surveys and conduct open-ended interviews with farmworkers in Sonoma County to examine their: 1) understanding of the Ag Pass program; 2) previous experiences working in agriculture during wildfires; 3) desired resources and training about wildfire health and safety; 4) organizations they would feel most comfortable interacting to receive this training; and 5) other concerns related to working during wildfires.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 1,011 survey participants, 763 (75.5%) had worked in agriculture during a wildfire in Sonoma County since 2017; of these, 507 (66.5%) reported experiencing health impacts such as a headache (74.9%), sore throat (76.0%), and eye irritation (83.1%). Over 50% of participants who reported adverse health did not have health insurance, and many reported continuing to work while feeling ill to avoid losing income or their jobs. The most consistent theme throughout the surveys and interviews was that farmworkers believed it necessary to work in hazardous conditions (e.g. during active wildfires and poor air quality) to be able to pay for basic needs such as housing and groceries.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our analysis identified gaps in the protection of farmworkers during wildfires in Sonoma County and areas for improvement in the Ag Pass program, including consideration of air quality and heat levels when the Ag Pass may be activated; health training requirements for program applicants; increased collaborations with trusted organizations to deliver health and safety information; and improved communication with workers about evacuation routes and wildfire notifications at the workplace.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145330672","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abdul Sammad Ali Khan Shirwany, Mian Muhammad Awais, Saad Masood, Aayesha Riaz, Masood Akhtar, Hosny El-Adawy, Faqir Muhammad, Muhammad Irfan Anwar, Mamoona Chaudhry
{"title":"A Snapshot of Brucellosis as an Occupational Health Hazard in Animal Handlers of an Agroecological Zone of Southern Punjab, Pakistan.","authors":"Abdul Sammad Ali Khan Shirwany, Mian Muhammad Awais, Saad Masood, Aayesha Riaz, Masood Akhtar, Hosny El-Adawy, Faqir Muhammad, Muhammad Irfan Anwar, Mamoona Chaudhry","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2569358","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2025.2569358","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Brucellosis is a significant zoonotic disease that may act as a potential occupational health hazard for animal handlers, including animal healthcare professionals. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of brucellosis in animal handlers of district Khanewal, Pakistan.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 241 animal handlers (including butchers, animal-attendants/farmers, and veterinary assistants) were approached for inclusion in this study. However, 184 sera samples of animal handlers who gave consents to participate in this study were collected and screened for brucellosis by slide agglutination test (SAT) and commercially available iELISA kit (sensitivity = 96%, specificity = 99%). A total of 11 variables were statistically analyzed by bivariate and multivariate analyses to determine their association with brucellosis, and differences were considered significant at <i>p</i>-value < .05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results of SAT showed a seropositivity rate of 4.89% for anti-<i>Brucella</i> (<i>B</i>.) <i>abortus</i> antibodies and 6.52% for anti-<i>B</i>. <i>melitensis</i> antibodies. The co-existence of antibodies to both <i>Brucella</i> species in analyzed sera samples was 1.09%. All the sera-samples were also analyzed by iELISA, and results revealed an overall seroprevalence rate of 9.78% for anti-<i>Brucella</i> IgM antibodies. Statistical analysis revealed that gender (OR = 1.5; 95%OR = 0.135-18.54), occupation (OR = 0.163; 95%OR = 0.215-0.791), body mass index (OR = 9.3; 95%OR = 2.11-45.01), and consumption of unpasteurized milk (OR = 7.48; 95%OR = 2.23-28.94) were significantly associated (<i>p</i>-value < .05) with seroprevalence of brucellosis among animal handlers. Whereas some risk factors such as age, marital-status, consumption of semi/undercooked meat, educational status, and lack of awareness regarding brucellosis did not show any significant association (<i>p</i>-value > .05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The study concluded that brucellosis is prevalent in animal handlers of the study area. Findings of this study underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, such as regular health screenings, improved occupational health policies, and better hygiene practices while dealing with animals. These findings also demand stronger public health policies, particularly in developing regions, to avoid brucellosis and improve overall occupational health standards.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145287411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of AgromedicinePub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-07-29DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2025.2539970
Christopher P Benny, Jakob Hanschu, Scott Heiberger, Barbara C Lee, Bryan Weichelt
{"title":"Assessing U.S. Media's Reaction to a Suggested Terminology Shift from \"Accident\" to \"Incident\" in News Reports of Childhood Agricultural Injury: A Pilot Study.","authors":"Christopher P Benny, Jakob Hanschu, Scott Heiberger, Barbara C Lee, Bryan Weichelt","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2539970","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2539970","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This pilot study aimed to: 1) quantify the usage of \"accident\" and related terms in media articles describing agricultural injuries and fatalities involving children; and 2) assess journalists' reactions to a suggested terminology shift from \"accident\" to \"incident\" in recent U.S. news media reports about youth agricultural injuries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>United States (U.S.) news reports covering agricultural injury events were obtained from the AgInjuryNews.org dataset. Quantitative text analysis was performed to identify news articles that mentioned \"accident\" or related terms (e.g., \"accidental,\" \"accidentally\") in their title or narrative. Chi-square tests, post-hoc procedures, and univariate logistic regression were used to determine whether and to what extent \"accident\" and related terms were used to describe youth agricultural injuries. To assess journalists' reactions to using \"incident\" instead of \"accident\" when describing youth agricultural injuries, a one-question survey was emailed to authors of news reports. Qualifying articles in the AgInjuryNews.org database were from June 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023, describing an agricultural injury involving victims under the age of 18 and featuring \"accident\" or its variations. Responses were coded based on sentiment.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 3,675 U.S. media reports were included in the quantitative text analysis for aim 1. \"Accident\" or related terms were used in 66% of the articles about youth agricultural injuries, compared to only 53% for reports about adult agricultural injuries. Agricultural injury events involving youth were more likely to be described using \"Accident\" or derived terms in U.S. news media than incidents involving adults (odds ratio: 1.73). For the second aim, 31 articles met the inclusion criteria for the journalists' survey. The survey response rate was 39% (<i>n</i> = 12). Of the 12 journalists who responded, 1 disagreed with the proposed terminology shift, 5 were neutral, and 6 were in agreement.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings from the quantitative text analysis and survey results support the need for additional research and provide evidence to support efforts to create lasting change in the way youth agricultural injury and fatality events are reported by U.S. news media.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"714-721"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144745661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of AgromedicinePub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-05-06DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2025.2498339
Gemma Cox, Alison Stapleton, Tomás Russell, Louise McHugh, Katerina Kavalidou
{"title":"Probable Suicide Among Men in Farming and Agricultural-Related Occupations in the Republic of Ireland: Exploring Coronial Data.","authors":"Gemma Cox, Alison Stapleton, Tomás Russell, Louise McHugh, Katerina Kavalidou","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2498339","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2498339","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Globally, suicide is presented as a significant concern within agricultural communities. However, there is little information on farmer suicide in the Republic of Ireland to guide the development of suicide prevention interventions. To address this gap, the present study used coronial data to determine whether males identified as \"farmers\" or \"agricultural workers\" (combined to form a single group named \"farmers\") have higher suicide incidence rates than non-farmers. It also examined the characteristics that differentiate suicide among male farmers from male non-farmer suicides with the overall objective of examining whether coronial data can improve our understanding.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The Irish Probable Suicide Deaths Study (IPSDS) 2015-2018 data were used. The IPSDS cohort (<i>n</i> = 2,349) comprises all coroner-determined suicides and research-determined suicides (i.e. on the balance of probabilities) in the Republic of Ireland. Male farmers were compared with an age- and sex-matched control group (i.e. all other males 15-years and over in the dataset; non-farmers). Age-specific suicide incidence rates were calculated using the 2016 census population estimates. Descriptive statistics examined the relationships between farmers' and non-farmers' sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, and circumstances of death.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Male farmers accounted for 8% of all male probable suicides in the Republic of Ireland between 2015-2018. While there was no significant rate difference in probable suicides among farmers (31.5 deaths per 100,000) compared to non-farmers (23.6 per 100,000; <i>p</i> = .09), the age-specific rate for farmers over 65-years (29.2 deaths per 100,000) was significantly different from same-age non-farmers (14.3 deaths per 100,000; <i>p</i> = .028). Analyses showed farmers were older, that a higher proportion of them were living with family/partner/children, and a lower proportion had a history of self-harm, drug dependency, and alcohol dependency.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The present findings may inform the development and implementation of supports aimed at recovery and prevention, such as augmenting access to means (e.g. firearm availability) or leveraging community-based interventions. Further research is needed to identify potential farming- and agricultural-related sub-populations at elevated risk of suicide, in addition to opportunities for intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"801-811"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144043180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of AgromedicinePub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-06-13DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517844
Cheryl L Beseler, Andrea V R Swenson, Christopher A Wanat, Whitney Pennington, Marsha Cheyney, Cassandra Peltier, Alma Jordan, Marsha Salzwedel
{"title":"Assessing Engagement, Needs, and Resources to Promote Child and Youth Safety on the Farm and Ranch.","authors":"Cheryl L Beseler, Andrea V R Swenson, Christopher A Wanat, Whitney Pennington, Marsha Cheyney, Cassandra Peltier, Alma Jordan, Marsha Salzwedel","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517844","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517844","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Childhood Agricultural Safety Network (CASN) is a coalition of diverse individuals and organizations working together to safeguard children in agriculture. This study assessed CASN memberships' interests, priorities, and use of resources to help plan future activities and assess member engagement and satisfaction. We electronically surveyed 201 CASN members; 60 responded (29.85%). Respondents were asked about their affiliations, participation in agricultural associations, past and future level of engagement, agricultural safety interests, use of agricultural resources, and future activities of interest. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to understand heterogeneity in the CASN members based on their selected interests. Classes were then tested in logistic regression models to determine how they might differ based on how much of a problem they perceived injury in youth to be, their level of past and future engagement, and their years with CASN. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to estimate effect sizes. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the patterns of use of resources by respondents. Frequencies were reported for use of resources and future interests. Two groups of CASN members were identified based on reported topics of interest. Specialists (58.9%) were focused on the use of motorized vehicles and roadways. The second group, Generalists (41.1%), had more diverse interests. The two groups differed on how seriously they viewed the problem of agricultural injury in youth (Generalist vs Specialist: OR = 6.27; 1.56, 25.2) and their interest in participating in future CASN activities (Generalist vs. Specialist: OR = 8.75; 1.76, 43.5). The use of 11 resources fell into two patterns. Nearly half of respondents reported current use of the Ag Youth Work Guidelines, Ag Injury News, and the Child Ag Injury Prevention Workshop. CASN is heterogeneous in their agricultural interests around youth safety and their use of resources. In planning future campaigns, it is important to meet the needs of both groups, with activities planned around ATV/UTV and roadway safety and keeping young children out of the worksite, as well as specific topics of concern such as manure ponds, skid steers, and agritourism.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"754-764"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144286964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of AgromedicinePub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-02DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2025.2540576
Whitney Pennington, Yessica Martinez, Kayna Hobbs-Murphy, John Rosecrance, Morgan Valley
{"title":"The Most Important Thing is to Know What to Wear When Working in the Sun.","authors":"Whitney Pennington, Yessica Martinez, Kayna Hobbs-Murphy, John Rosecrance, Morgan Valley","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2540576","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2540576","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Crop workers face increasingly hot working conditions. Wearing light-colored, single-layer breathable clothing and wide-brimmed hats, on top of having water, rest, and shade, can reduce the risk of heat illness among crop workers. Clothing preferences and limited access may prevent crop workers from wearing optimal work apparel. However, little is known about crop workers' workplace clothing preferences or their clothing acquisition barriers (e.g., access to retailers, cost). This qualitative study aimed to document Spanish-speaking crop workers' ideal work clothing and understand the primary barriers that prevent them from wearing clothing that reduces heat-related illness risk.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four focus groups were conducted in Spanish on vegetable farms in Colorado during August and September 2023. Two researchers thematically analyzed qualitative focus group data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 54 Spanish-speaking crop workers who participated in focus groups during August and September 2023. Findings show participants know which work clothing options protect from heat-related illnesses. Participants purchased their work clothes primarily at second-hand stores. They preferred clothes made of light but durable materials and complete pieces that cover the head, neck, and trunk with long sleeves and pants that facilitate movement. Barriers to wearing worker-defined ideal clothing described include costs and the difficulty in finding the specific style of clothing at their preferred retail outlets. Participants described an interest in partnering with employers to purchase ideal clothing to prevent heat-related illness.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Spanish-speaking crop workers have a clear understanding of ideal work clothing and the link between clothing and heat illnesses prevention. However, based on thematic analysis of focus groups with crop workers in Colorado, cost and access to ideal clothing are the biggest barriers. Strategies that facilitate access to appropriate clothing for working in hot environments and involvement of employers in apparel choice are potential methods to promote worker safety and reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses among agricultural farmworkers.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"692-700"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144769229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of AgromedicinePub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-06-13DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517009
Virginia Balbi, Kristin Schaedel, Flor Servin, Manuel Ornelas, Ofelio Borges, Lorena Rodríguez, Gilberto Uribe Valdez, Colton Bond, Christina Zimmerman, Lindsey House, Ingrid Zaragoza, Ashley Thompson, Leanne Giordono, Kaci Buhl
{"title":"Evaluating Pesticide Applicator Training in Spanish: An Oregon Interagency Pilot.","authors":"Virginia Balbi, Kristin Schaedel, Flor Servin, Manuel Ornelas, Ofelio Borges, Lorena Rodríguez, Gilberto Uribe Valdez, Colton Bond, Christina Zimmerman, Lindsey House, Ingrid Zaragoza, Ashley Thompson, Leanne Giordono, Kaci Buhl","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517009","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This project aimed to evaluate and address barriers for Spanish-speakers seeking pesticide applicator licensing in Oregon, including lack of language-appropriate educational resources. An interagency collaboration between the Hood River Soil & Water Conservation District, Washington State Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University, and the Mid-Columbia orchard community, resulted in the first-of-its-kind Spanish language private pesticide applicator pilot training in Oregon. Participants (<i>n</i> = 40) took pesticide licensing examinations in Spanish for both Oregon and Washington immediately after a 2.5 day in-person training. Examinations contained questions based on pesticide labels in English, as testers must prove proficiency in reading and understanding labels. Surveys and interviews were used to evaluate this training. Collaborators identified several barriers to access at every stage of examination-preparation. Over half of the participants (56%) had 6+ years of experience working with pesticides, and 55% reported an educational attainment of 8th grade or less. All participants indicated the training being offered in Spanish was a very important reason for attending. Six testers passed the Washington licensing examination (15%); among that group, two passed the Oregon licensing examination (5%). Spanish-speaking workers face gaps in access from studying to testing for applicator licensing. Recent federal regulatory changes may prompt other states/municipalities to increase Spanish language access for pesticide applicators. The interstate, interagency nature of this collaboration has proven essential in addressing the wide range of unmet needs in Oregon. Low pass rates among participants, however, suggest a need to explore potential program improvements, additional supports, and/or policy changes.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"675-680"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144286965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Journal of AgromedicinePub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-06-11DOI: 10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517022
Brian F French, Robert J Fetsch, Sarah C Ullrich-French
{"title":"Exploring AgrAbility Quality of Life Profiles.","authors":"Brian F French, Robert J Fetsch, Sarah C Ullrich-French","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517022","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2517022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>AgrAbility provides information, education, and services to agricultural workers with disabilities. There is a dearth of knowledge about the variability in the quality of life (QoL) domains associated with AgrAbility program involvement. This study examined QoL profiles at two time points with individuals seeking services related to QoL domains including physical, psychological, social, and existential well-being. The profiles were described based on demographic variables to understand who may be in these profiles.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The sample consisted of 1,358 farmers and ranchers with disabilities who completed the McGill Quality of Life (MQOL) survey before receiving AgrAbility services (time one), and 343 of whom completed a follow-up QoL survey after receiving AgrAbility services (time two). Latent profile analysis was employed to examine groupings of individuals on the variables of physical, psychological, existential, and social well-being. Descriptive analysis of profile membership and predictive models were used to understand the profiles and their relationship across time. Analyses were performed using Mplus version 8.11.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Three QoL profiles were identified. The Low QoL profile had the most females, while the High QoL profile had the least. There were no significant relationships identified between sex, work status, and age, and profile membership. The High QoL profile was marked by high scores on QoL indicators of psychological, social, and existential well-being. The Low QoL had almost an opposite pattern. At time 2 assessment, individuals tended to move to a higher QoL profile. In general, the probability of moving to a lower profile was below 0.10.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Heterogeneity is present in QoL indicators among individuals who worked with their State AgrAbility Team to accomplish their goals. Profile movement supports the benefits of receiving AgrAbility services for increasing QoL. These profiles can be used to better understand the needs of individuals and the direct services to address those needs.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"779-788"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144267770","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}