Poor safety climate, long work hours, and musculoskeletal discomfort among Latino horse farm workers.
This study investigated the prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD) and work-related factors associated with elevated MSD among Latino thoroughbred farm workers. Participants (N = 225) were recruited using a community-based purposive sampling approach to participate in in-person interviews. Of these workers, 85% experienced MSD. MSD was divided into tertiles; the upper tertile was defined as elevated. Multivariable Poisson regression revealed associations between any elevated MSD and longer tenure on horse farms, longer work hours, and poor safety climate. Elevated neck/back MSD was associated with longer tenure, longer work hours, and poor safety climate. Elevated upper extremity MSD was associated with age and poor safety climate. Elevated lower extremity MSD was associated with longer tenure, longer work hours, and being female. Musculoskeletal discomfort is common among these workers. Improving safety climate and minimizing long work hours is recommended.
a School of Social Work , University of Maryland , Baltimore , Maryland , USA.
Jennifer
J
Swanberg
b Department of Health, Behavior and Society , College of Public Health, University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
Jessica Miller
JM
Clouser
c Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health , College of Public Health, University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
Wenqi
W
Gan
d Department of Epidemiology, Department of Health Behavior , College of Public Health, University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
John C
JC
Flunker
c Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health , College of Public Health, University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
Susan
S
Westneat
e Department of Epidemiology , College of Public Health, University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA.
Steven R
SR
Browning
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000818:Animals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000067565:Farmers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D016272:Occupational Health; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence
Latino farmworkers; musculoskeletal discomfort; safety climate