Journal of Agromedicine最新文献

{"title":"Socio-Economic and Occupational Variations in Cardiovascular Risk Among Irish Male Livestock Farmers: Baseline Findings from the Farmers Have Hearts-Cardiovascular Health Program.","authors":"Diana van Doorn, Noel Richardson, Catherine Blake, John McNamara, David Meredith","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2026.2622655","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2026.2622655","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Irish farmers are recognized as a high-risk group for premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality compared to other occupation groups. To better characterize CVD risk within farming subpopulations, there is a need for real-world data examining socio-demographic, economic, and occupational determinants of cardiovascular risk.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study reports baseline data from health checks and face-to-face questionnaire capturing socio-demographic and farm characteristics from the Farmers Have Hearts - Cardiovascular Health Program. Farmers were recruited at livestock marts, where live cattle are sold and bought through bidding and predominantly visited by beef farmers, and agri-branches, local retail outlets linked to agribusinesses, commonly visited by dairy farmers. Descriptive statistics characterized the sample, and regression analysis was performed with and without recruitment venue to examine its influence on associations between socio-demographic and cardiovascular risk factors.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>Most farmers had a higher cardiovascular risk, with 74.0% having ≥4 CVD risk factors. Mart-recruited farmers had a significantly higher prevalence of multiple risk factors compared to agri-branch-recruited farmers (79.3% vs 68.8%). This disparity aligned with distinct socio-demographic profiles, as mart-recruited farmers were more likely to be older, single, have lower educational attainment, and operate smaller farms. Including recruitment venue in regression models changed associations between education and low HDL-C and between age and smoking, reflecting contextual influences beyond individual factors.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study demonstrates that cardiovascular risk is unequally distributed among Irish farmers, with mart-recruited farmers carrying a higher burden. Socio-demographic and occupational differences captured by recruitment venue influence cardiovascular risk, emphasizing the need for targeted health interventions, and agricultural health policy.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"313-328"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146214531","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}

{"title":"Young Farmers and Mental Health: A Systematic Scoping Review.","authors":"Amanda Hay, Jorie Knook, Nicky Stanley-Clarke, Louise Winder","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2026.2615778","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2026.2615778","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Supporting farmers to maintain good wellbeing and access to mental health supports is crucial to reducing the number of lives lost by suicide. Little is known about the mental health needs of young farmers, how best to support them and how to build resilience. This systematic scoping review was conducted to identify what literature is currently available on the mental health of young farmers, the knowledge gaps, and the needs of this population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic scoping review was guided by the Prisma 2020 methodological framework. There were 23 articles included in the review focusing on the mental health of young farmers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Results were grouped into three categories or main themes which emerged from the included studies. These were: i) contested understandings of the \"young farmer\"; ii) concerns and issues young farmers may encounter; and iii) and protective factors for young farmers' mental health and wellbeing in rural communities. Results identified several concerns for young farmers, and protective factors that mitigate these concerns. The review identifies that there is a limited focus within the literature on this specific population's needs to provide relevant support for their unique agricultural environment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This scoping review demonstrates the lack of literature to specifically map the mental health of young farmers. Young people are particularly vulnerable to mental health and wellbeing issues due to the isolated and demanding nature of agricultural environments. The results of this scoping review can be used to inform knowledge and the development of further research that specifically targets this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"358-368"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145999323","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}

{"title":"Staying Strong on the Job: Physical and Psychosocial Benefits of Exercise for Agricultural Workers.","authors":"Nicholas Spokely, Diego Diaz-Vega, Lindsey Phillips Abernathy, Shawn Allen, Liz Neria-Piña, Lucy E Bailey, Breanne S Baker","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2579637","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2579637","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Roughly 70% agricultural nursery workers report musculoskeletal dysfunction and fall-related injuries. Exercise has been shown to improve musculoskeletal health and fall risk, but the literature on the benefits of exercise in nursery workers is rare. This mixed-methods feasibility study aimed to elucidate the benefits of an employee-sponsored exercise class for nursery workers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Twenty-five workers were randomized into either the Stay Strong, Stay Healthy (SSSH) resistance training program (<i>n</i> = 14) or control group (<i>n</i> = 11) for 8 weeks. Those assigned to SSSH performed eight exercises twice weekly at their workplace during business hours, while controls were asked to maintain their habits. Pre/post eight-week measures included health, pain, and sleep surveys and functional performance tests of static and dynamic balance, strength, and flexibility. Finally, interviews were conducted pre/post to gauge participants' perceptions of barriers and facilitators for health behaviors such as exercise. Statistical analyses included independent <i>t</i>-tests to assess baseline differences and two-way, mixed repeated measures analyses of variance models to observe interactions and main effects of time and group for all measures, α ≤ 0.05. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted on interview data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were no baseline differences between SSSH and controls (all <i>p</i> ≥ .061). Participants were on average 39 years old, had a BMI of 25.5 kg/m², reported poor sleep quality (PSQI 6.2), and 220 min/wk of physical activity. Over time, timed-up-and-go, 5 sit-to-stand, hand grip strength, and lower-body flexibility improved (all <i>p</i> ≤ .019). Post-hoc analyses revealed pre/post-performance changes only in the SSSH group (all <i>p</i> ≤ .035). Further, qualitative interviews suggest that employee-sponsored SSSH programming improved many areas of nursery workers' physical, interpersonal, and psychological health. Specifically, four themes emerged, which included labor-intensive job demands as a barrier to exercise engagement, multidimensional health benefits of SSSH, improved job performance after SSSH, and inspiration and insufficiency of SSSH. For example, those in the SSSH group noted improved personal confidence to complete work-related tasks. Conclusion: Employee-sponsored SSSH improved physical performance associated with falls and injury risk and most participants noted a general enjoyment of and benefits from SSSH pointing to the potential value of it to improve nursery workers' injury risk and health.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"90-101"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145432709","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}

{"title":"Ticking Time Bomb: The Escalating Threat of Tick-Borne Diseases in Rural Farming Communities.","authors":"Amanda Roome, Destiny Trombley, Megan Kern, Melissa Scribani, Paul Jenkins, Richard Ostfeld, Julie Sorensen","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2579639","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2579639","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Outdoor workers, particularly farmers and farmworkers, are at increased risk for tick encounters and subsequent tick-borne disease exposure due to daily work in tick habitats. Though well studied in Europe, farmer/worker risk is not well studied in the Northeastern United States. Given the increasing incidence of tick-borne diseases throughout the Northeast population, this study sought to identify risk factors and determine perceptions of risk for tick encounters and tick-borne disease diagnoses within agricultural communities.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Snowball sampling was utilized to recruit farmers and farmworkers for the study. Participants were surveyed about risk perceptions, farm practices, tick encounters, and tick-borne disease exposure. Tick-borne disease diagnosis was tested for association with farm characteristics and individual prevention practices. Associations with tick exposure, including tick encounters and tick bites, were also tested.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 53 individuals (representing 46 farms) from dairy and livestock operations in Southern Vermont were recruited for the study. Of participants, 12% reported ever being diagnosed with a tick-borne disease, and reported an average of three tick encounters over the prior 6 months (ranging from 0 to 70). There was a marginal association between grazing livestock and increased tick sightings on the farm, and participants believed their risk for tick-borne disease was higher than other occupations.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Farmers are a high-risk population, given their increased risk of exposures at worksites that are prime tick habitats. High numbers of tick encounters and perception of risk highlight the need for tick-borne disease prevention strategies to be tailored to farmers and farmworkers.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"102-108"},"PeriodicalIF":1.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13056265/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145373203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health Concerns of Women in Agriculture in the Midwestern United States.","authors":"Cheryl L Beseler, Megan Lutt, Alex Egbuchiem, Ellen G Duysen","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2558539","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2558539","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>In 2022, the USDA Agricultural Census recognized that over one-third of agricultural producers in the United States were female. However, information on the health and safety needs of women working in agriculture is lacking. To help guide the direction of further research to understand the needs of women in agriculture, a brief survey was administered at a conference for agricultural women in the Midwest US. The goal was to understand the priority concerns and whether the concerns differed by age group or by occupational role.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The survey was conducted in person with women attending a Women in Ag Conference in 2024. Participants were asked their age in six categories, whether they were directly involved in agriculture, and how concerned they were about nine health and safety topics using a 5-point Likert scale. Occupational role was determined by classifying the self-reported job description into five categories, academic/professional, academic/professional and agricultural operator, crop producer, livestock producer, and crop and livestock producer (<i>n</i> = 111). Descriptive statistics were calculated to describe the age distribution, occupational roles, and differences in concerns. Correspondence analysis was used to analyze and visualize frequency tables. Chi-square and Fisher's Exact tests, and logistic regression were used to explore differences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Injuries and respiratory exposures significantly differed between women who were both academic/professionals and agricultural operators and those who were only academic/professional. Academics were similar to crop producers, livestock producers were different from all others, and those who were both crop and livestock producers fell between the two. Fewer differences were seen among the age groups. Younger women were most concerned about reproductive health and older women more concerned about mental health and musculoskeletal disorders.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Concerns differed by occupational role and less by age group. Although injuries were of concern for women working in an academic/professional role, they were not a major concern when women also worked a farm or ranch. It is unclear why this might be and further studies need to be conducted to ascertain if these differences can be replicated.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"11-19"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145055926","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}

{"title":"Sun Safety Knowledge and Practice Among Farmers in a Tropical Rural Community in Southeastern Nigeria.","authors":"Chidinma E Israel, Sunday C Eneje, Ezinwanne B Chukwu, Adaeze C Nwosa","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2563257","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2563257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Agriculture provides livelihoods and generates millions of jobs for farmers in tropical sub-Saharan settings. Outdoor farmers, however, are vulnerable to health risks from excess exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation. This study assessed the knowledge, practices, and associated factors of sun safety among farmers of the Amaegbu community in Ede-Oballa, Nsukka local government of Enugu State, Southeastern Nigeria.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive cross-sectional study design and a purposive sampling technique were employed to select 155 crop farmers living in the study setting. The sample comprised commercial and subsistence (part-time) farmers who cultivate crops either as a primary or supplementary occupation. Data were collected using structured researcher's questionnaire, with a reliability coefficient of 0.926 Croncbach's alpha analysis of data was achieved using descriptive and inferential statistics aided by SPSS version 25 and Microsoft Excel.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Majority (89.7%) of the respondents had good knowledge of sun safety. More than half (52.3%, <i>n</i> = 81) had poor practice of sun safety. The overall practice mean score was 2.32 ± 0.75 There was no significant association between the sociodemographic factors of age and gender of farmers and the practice of sun safety (<i>p</i> = .368; <i>p</i> = 086). Sun safety knowledge was also not significantly associated with practice (<i>p</i> = .472). Only educational level was significantly associated with farmers' practice of sun safety (<i>p</i> = .004).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite having good knowledge of sun safety, farmers followed poor sun safety practices. It is recommended that farmers should be encouraged to protect themselves from sun radiation to prevent health hazards. Factors responsible for the poor practice revealed in this study despite a good knowledge should be further evaluated.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"20-29"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145087989","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}

{"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":"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":"30-43"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","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}

{"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":"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":"44-62"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","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}

{"title":"Knowledge, Preventive Practices, and Perceived Difficulties of Adolescent Children of Seasonal Agricultural Worker Families During Covid-19 Pandemic in Türkiye.","authors":"Ayşe Şener Taplak, Sevda Yaman","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2581240","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2581240","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, preventive practices, and perceived difficulties of adolescent children of seasonal agricultural worker families during the COVID-19 pandemic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The cross-sectional study was carried out with 366 adolescents. After obtaining the necessary permissions, the data were collected with questionnaires prepared by the researchers and a perceived healthy lifestyle difficulty scale (score range 10-and-50). Descriptive statistical analyses and regression analysis were used to evaluate the data.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority of the participants knew the transmission route and symptoms of the COVID-19 disease. Only 17.8% of adolescents were paying attention to the social distancing rule, and the majority of adolescents didn't wear masks in the settlements. In this sample, 41.3% of adolescents were washing their hands on average twice a day. Adolescents perceived difficulties regarding personal hygiene, accessing protective equipment, information sources, and health services. The adolescents scored low (20.45 ± 2.62) on perceived healthy lifestyle difficulty scale which is associated with to the increased perceived difficulty in a healthy lifestyle.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although adolescents had knowledge regarding COVID-19 disease, their rate of performing the preventive measures was low. Specific action plans, guidelines, and policies should be developed and implemented to enhance reported health-related behaviors and mitigate the spread of infection, particularly among disadvantaged adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"160-171"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145446347","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}

{"title":"Assessing the Role of Pesticide Exposure and Menopausal Status in Breast Cancer Prognosis Among Rural Women.","authors":"Thalita Basso Scandolara, Carolina Coradi, Juliana Maria Bitencourt de Morais Valentim, Tatiane Renata Fagundes, Brenda Stephanie Fiuza, Carlos Victor Pereira Dos Santos, Guilherme Cirino Rodrigues, Larissa Luiza Bedin, Rodrigo Kern, Eloisa Neres, Beatriz Rezende de Brito Carvalho, Daniel Rech, Carolina Panis","doi":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2578009","DOIUrl":"10.1080/1059924X.2025.2578009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Pesticides are recognized endocrine disruptors that may influence breast cancer risk and progression, yet their impact on disease characteristics according to menopausal status remains unclear, particularly in rural populations with high exposure levels. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of pesticide exposure on the clinicopathological profile of breast cancer among rural women, with a focus on differences between premenopausal and menopausal patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cohort of 189 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer at a cancer hospital in southwestern Paraná State, Brazil, was retrospectively analyzed. Pesticide exposure was determined through a validated questionnaire, classifying women as exposed or unexposed. Menopausal status was recorded from medical charts and categorized as premenopausal or menopausal. Clinicopathological features were compared across groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Pesticide-exposed premenopausal patients presented more cases of low histological grade tumors than unexposed women did (46.28% vs 23.14%, respectively, <i>p</i> = .0081). Additionally, more exposed patients had angiolymphatic emboli (15.22% to unexposed and 47.83% to exposed, <i>p</i> = .0170). Patients exposed at menopause had more tumors without estrogen receptor expression (13.16% unexposed and 28.95% exposed, <i>p</i> = .022) and a lower ki67 index (23.08%) than unexposed patients (6.15%, <i>p</i> = .0055), with a prevalence of tumors larger than 2 cm (11.82% unexposed and 21.82% exposed, <i>p</i> = .0481). A multivariable regression analysis was performed and showed both age (β = 0.03698, 95% CI: -1.013 to 1.108) and BMI (β = 0.1293, 95% CI: -0.5552 to 0.8120) had no significant effects. Conclusion: These findings suggest that chronic pesticide exposure during critical windows of breast development may alter disease presentation according to menopausal status. Given the high pesticide burden in a rural cohort, it is important to consider environmental exposures in breast cancer prognosis, especially among vulnerable populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":49172,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Agromedicine","volume":" ","pages":"68-75"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145410684","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}