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Occupational Risks and Pregnancy and Infant Health Outcomes in Florida Farmworkers

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer Runkle

    (Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Joan Flocks

    (Center for Governmental Responsibility, Levin College of Law, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jeannie Economos

    (Farmworker Association of Florida, Apopka, FL 32703, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • J. Antonio Tovar-Aguilar

    (Farmworker Association of Florida, Apopka, FL 32703, USA)

  • Linda McCauley

    (Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

The agricultural industry has some of the highest incidence rates and numbers of occupational injuries and illnesses in the United States. Injuries and illnesses in agriculture result from accidents, falls, excessive heat, repetitive motion and adverse pesticide exposure. Women working in agriculture are exposed to the same hazards and risks as their male counterparts, but can face additional adverse impacts on their reproductive health. Yet, few occupational risk assessment studies have considered the reproductive health of female farmworkers. The objective of this community-based participatory research study was to conduct a retrospective, cross-sectional survey to collect information on workplace conditions and behaviors and maternal, pregnancy and infant health outcomes among a sample of female nursery and fernery farmworkers in Central Florida. Survey results showed that nursery workers were more likely to report health symptoms during their pregnancy than fernery workers. We also observed a self-reported increased risk of respiratory illness in the first year of life for infants whose mothers worked in ferneries. Our findings confirm that agricultural work presents potential reproductive hazards for women of childbearing age.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Runkle & Joan Flocks & Jeannie Economos & J. Antonio Tovar-Aguilar & Linda McCauley, 2014. "Occupational Risks and Pregnancy and Infant Health Outcomes in Florida Farmworkers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-21, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:11:y:2014:i:8:p:7820-7840:d:38907
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Ana García & M. González-Galarzo & Elena Ronda & Ferran Ballester & Marisa Estarlich & Mònica Guxens & Aitana Lertxundia & Begoña Martinez-Argüelles & Loreto Marina & Adonina Tardón & Martine Vrijheid, 2012. "Prevalence of exposure to occupational risks during pregnancy in Spain," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 57(5), pages 817-826, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Thomas A. Arcury & Sydney A. Smith & Jennifer W. Talton & Sara A. Quandt, 2022. "The Abysmal Organization of Work and Work Safety Culture Experienced by North Carolina Latinx Women in Farmworker Families," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Rafael Junqueira Buralli & Amana Freitas Dultra & Helena Ribeiro, 2020. "Respiratory and Allergic Effects in Children Exposed to Pesticides—A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.

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