Perceptions of Health and Safety Conditions for Farmworker Women
Author: Samuels, Michael E.
Date Published: 1998
In response to continuing concerns about the health and safety of migrant farmworkers, an interview survey was administered to 153 Mexican and Mexican American migrant farmworker women regarding their health and safety and that of their families. The survey was developed for the purpose of investigating the perceived health/safety needs/problems of farmworker women and the environment, in which they live and work. The survey was conducted at the U.S. Department of Labor rest stop in Hope Arkansas in July of 1997. There was a positive correlation between farmworker women's perception of their health status and their education, place of birth, and amount of farm work done in the previous year. Younger farm worker women with higher levels of education with higher work levels were more likely to have a perception of higher health status. Additional findings included that farmworker women made or shared in family decision making. Proper field sanitation standards are not being reinforced. Telephones are not always available in the labor camps for emergencies and poison control phone numbers are not always posted. The most frequently reported personal health problems for farmworker women were joint or muscle pain and back pain. They also reported low rates of illegal substance abuse. The nature of the farm work done by female migrant workers was identified (hoeing and picking). Low rates of farm work related injuries for women were reported. The study concludes with specific recommendations for interventions and further studies.
Date Published: 1998
In response to continuing concerns about the health and safety of migrant farmworkers, an interview survey was administered to 153 Mexican and Mexican American migrant farmworker women regarding their health and safety and that of their families. The survey was developed for the purpose of investigating the perceived health/safety needs/problems of farmworker women and the environment, in which they live and work. The survey was conducted at the U.S. Department of Labor rest stop in Hope Arkansas in July of 1997. There was a positive correlation between farmworker women's perception of their health status and their education, place of birth, and amount of farm work done in the previous year. Younger farm worker women with higher levels of education with higher work levels were more likely to have a perception of higher health status. Additional findings included that farmworker women made or shared in family decision making. Proper field sanitation standards are not being reinforced. Telephones are not always available in the labor camps for emergencies and poison control phone numbers are not always posted. The most frequently reported personal health problems for farmworker women were joint or muscle pain and back pain. They also reported low rates of illegal substance abuse. The nature of the farm work done by female migrant workers was identified (hoeing and picking). Low rates of farm work related injuries for women were reported. The study concludes with specific recommendations for interventions and further studies.
