Risk factors for machinery-related injury among Iowa farmers: a case-control study nested in the Agricultural Health Study.
Farm machinery is a major cause of injury morbidity and mortality among farmers. This case-control study assessed risk factors for machinery-related injuries among Iowa farmers. A screener questionnaire sent to 6,999 farmers in 1998 identified 205 farmers who had machinery-related injuries requiring medical advice/treatment in the previous year. Possible risk factors for injury were assessed among these farmers compared with 473 farmers with no injury in the previous year. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between machinery-related injury and hours per week spent on farmwork (OR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.38-2.94), fewer years of farming experience (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.14-2.79), wearing a hearing aid (OR = 4.37; 95% CI 1.55-12.25), and a high CAGE score suggesting problem drinking (OR = 2.49; 95% CI 1.00-6.19). This is the first study to show associations between machinery-related injury and hearing impairment, problem drinking, and fewer years of farming experience. These findings may be useful for future interventions to decrease injuries related to farm machinery.
Sprince
Nancy L
NL
Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City 52242-5000, USA. nancy-sprince@uiowa.edu
Park
Hyesook
H
Zwerling
Craig
C
Lynch
Charles F
CF
Whitten
Paul A
PA
Thu
Kendall
K
Gillette
Patricia P
PP
Burmeister
Leon F
LF
Alavanja
Michael C R
MC
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007484:Iowa / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*