title: A Descriptive Study of Body Pain and Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Latino Farmworkers Working on Sweet Potato Farms in Eastern North Carolina.
abstract: Agricultural work is a physically demanding occupation. The purpose of this project was to describe the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) and self-reported pain among Latino farmworkers who work extensively hand harvesting sweet potatoes. Data were obtained from a cross-sectional survey of farmworkers (N = 120) in eastern North Carolina. Univariate and bivariate analyses were used to describe personal, work characteristics, and self-reported pain associated with musculoskeletal injuries. Overall, 79% of farmworkers reported any type of pain or discomfort. The highest reported areas of pain were in the back (66%) and shoulder areas (31%). Younger participants experienced more shoulder pain (P = .04) than older workers, and working more than 5 years as a farmworker was significantly associated with back pain (P = .01). Interventions aimed at administrative and engineering controls for reducing risk factors that contribute to WMSDs are warranted.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Public Health , Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville , North Carolina , USA.
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Kearney
authors.affiliation: a Department of Public Health , Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville , North Carolina , USA.
authors.forename: Daniel L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.affiliation: b Environmental Health Sciences Program, Department of Health Education and Promotion , College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University , Greenville , North Carolina , USA.
authors.forename: Jo Anne G
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Balanay
authors.affiliation: a Department of Public Health , Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University , Greenville , North Carolina , USA.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Barry
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000067565:Farmers; D000072480:Farms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D027723:Ipomoea batatas; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014171:Transients and Migrants
keywords: Agriculture; low crops; musculoskeletal pain; occupational health