Risk factors for machinery-related injury among Iowa farmers: A case-control study nested in the agricultural health study

Nancy L. Sprince, Hyesook Park, Craig Zwerling, Charles F. Lynch, Paul A. Whitten, Kendall Thu, Patricia P. Gillette, Leon F. Burmeister, Michael C.R. Alavanja

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)332-338
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Keywords

  • Agriculture
  • Farm machinery
  • Injuries

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Risk factors for machinery-related injury among Iowa farmers: A case-control study nested in the agricultural health study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this