title: Evaluation of a respiratory health program for farmers and their families.
abstract: Occupational exposures to organic dusts, gases, welding fumes and agricultural chemicals result in farmers' increased risk of respiratory health problems compared to other workers. The Respiratory Health Program for Saskatchewan farmers addresses the difficulties of delivering an occupational health program to a sparsely distributed population on the Prairies. We summarized their pulmonary function and respiratory health by spirometry and questionnaire respectively. The necessity of the program was demonstrated by the frequency of lower than predicted pulmonary function tests and referrals to family physicians (1996 through 1999). Age, years in farming, usual cough, wheezing on most days and nights, bringing up phlegm from the chest, breathlessness, and cigarette smoking were associated significantly with pulmonary function results. We evaluated the Respiratory Health Program (1994 through 2000) with respect to acceptability, accessibility, appropriateness, continuity, effectiveness, efficiency, and risk/safety by using questionnaires and evaluations by farm families.
authors.affiliation: Saskatchewan Institute on Prevention of Handicaps.
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mpofu
authors.forename: Lori
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lockinger
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bidwell
authors.forename: Helen H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: McDuffie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D011336:Probability; D012130:Respiratory Hypersensitivity; D012307:Risk Factors; D012525:Saskatchewan / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate