Children of migratory agricultural workers: the ecological context of acute care for a mobile population of immigrant children

A Comparison Quality of Life of Children of Seasonal Agricultural Workers and Local Residents in Turkey

OBJECTIVES

Children of seasonal agricultural workers (SAW) live in the worst conditions of agricultural labor and, consequently, face many health risks. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of these children. This study aimed to compare the QoL between children of SAW and local residents in semi-rural areas of Eskisehir, Turkey, and determine the factors affecting them.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we included children of SAW living in temporary camp areas and those of local residents visiting the Family Health Center close to the camp areas. Basic sociodemographic data collection forms and the Pediatric Quality of Life (PedsQL) scale were employed for data collection. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine factors that had a significant effect on the QoL.

RESULTS

We included 324 children of SAW and 256 local children. As per the multivariate analysis, QoL was lower in children aged between 8 and 12 years, with physician-diagnosed chronic diseases, and children of SAW. Also, there was no significant association between gender, parental education levels, family income, number of siblings, school attendance status, and QoL level.

CONCLUSION

The QoL of children of SAW families was significantly lower than their peer local children. Therefore, the appropriate authorities must prioritize the planning and implementation of health services for SAW families.

Living Conditions, Access to Healthcare Services, and Occupational Health and Safety Conditions of Migrant Seasonal Agricultural Workers in the Çukurova Region

OBJECTIVE

Migrant seasonal agricultural workers who are employed in one of the most hazardous occupations in Turkey experience difficulties in accessing health-care services. The aim of this study is to investigate the living conditions, access to health-care services, and occupational health and safety conditions of migrant seasonal agricultural workers in the Çukurova region.

METHODS

Four hundred migrant seasonal agricultural workers were contacted in the county of Karataş located in the province of Adana, Turkey. A four-section questionnaire was administered using face-to-face interview techniques.

RESULTS

The mean age of the participants was 32.8 ± 12.4 years. One-fourth of the participants did not have any social security coverage. Almost all had a monthly income below minimum wage, and 98% were living in tents. One-fifth experienced health problems in the last year, and 63% of them visited a health-care facility for diagnosis and treatment. About 3.3% of the participants sustained injuries at work, and only 23% of them visited a health-care facility.

CONCLUSION

The findings of the study show that migrant seasonal agricultural workers in Turkey have insufficient working conditions, wages, accommodation facilities, nutrition opportunities, health conditions, and occupational health and safety conditions. This insufficiency negatively affects life qualities of the workers, utilization of health-care services, and their occupational health status and safety.

The Effect of Breast Cancer Fear Levels of Female Seasonal Agricultural Laborers on Early-Diagnosis Behaviors and Perceptions of Breast Cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of breast cancer fear levels of female seasonal agricultural laborers between ages 40 and 60 on breast cancer early-diagnosis behaviors and perceptions. This is a cross-sectional study. The data of the study were collected between February and September 2014 in Şanlıurfa, Turkey. A sample of the study group consisted of 350 women. The data were assessed by using SPSS 16.0 statistics package software. Descriptive statistics, t test, chi-square, and correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Considering that breast cancer fear levels are effective on the breast cancer early-diagnosis behaviors and health beliefs, it can be recommended for the health care staff to carry out initiative works to reduce the fear levels.

Prevalence of Violence: Male and Female Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Approach to Violence in Turkey

The objective of this study is to determine the male and female seasonal agricultural workers' perception of violence, prevalence of violence, frequency of victimization, and their related factors. Quantitative and qualitative data were used, and 89.5% of women were exposed to violence that included the restriction of their human rights. The sample consisted of 1,211 women and 1,064 men. Their marital status, duration of work, and attention to their health affected the violence exposure. Arabic people who were unmarried, had a poor educational background, and poor health perception approved of the physical violence.

A narrative literature review on the health of migrant farm worker children in the USA

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive narrative review of the literature on migrant farm worker child and adolescent health. It highlights current health issues and suggests methods to improve research and clinical practices with this underserved and vulnerable population.

Design/methodology/approach

– The methodology for this narrative review included a search of articles published between 2000 and 2012. From the primary search, 76 articles met the search criteria. A secondary search revealed three additional articles.

Findings

– The various methodologies used in the current literature have limited rigorous analysis of the health of pediatric migrant populations. The findings highlight the complex factors that influence migrant pediatric health. Despite the many challenges migrant farm worker children and their families face, they exhibit enormous resilience and strengths that may help counterbalance these challenges. Study categories that emerged from the analysis include health perspectives and behaviors, occupational health, access to care, utilization and satisfaction with health services, health outcomes and health disparities, and oral health. This review provides a strong foundation from which to work toward improving migrant pediatric health.

Originality/value

– This paper provides an original review of the unique health needs and the complex factors influencing the health of migrant farm worker children and adolescents. This will be of value to clinicians and researchers since migrant farm worker families are part of communities across the country. It offers public health professionals insight into services and programs that can improve the health and well-being of children, families, and communities.

An operational study on implementation of mobile primary healthcare services for seasonal migratory farmworkers, Turkey

Maternal and child health is affected by exposure to unhealthy living and working conditions, by increased exposure to health hazards, and by poor utilization of primary healthcare services. The objective of this operational study was to implement mobile primary healthcare services (MPHS) for migratory seasonal farmworkers. This study, conducted in Şanlıurfa, Turkey, between March 2008 and April 2009, examined multiple stages of MPHS implementation in both a permanent settlement (336 children aged 5 and under; 580 women of reproductive age) and a working settlement (85 living units; 217 children and 257 women). The stages included: (1) identifying the problem, (2) identifying a potential solution and a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effect of intervention, (3) utilizing and disseminating results to stakeholders, and (4) implementing sustainable MPHS county-wide. Rates of selected outcome measures, including full childhood and tetanus vaccination, phenylketonuria screening, and safer usage of pesticides, iodine salt, and sanitary toilet facilities, increased significantly following the intervention in both the permanent and temporary settlements (P < 0.05). The majority of cases of anemia (children: 16.6%, women: 17.8%) and parasitic infections (55.4%) were treated. The study results indicate that MPHS are necessary to ensure healthcare access for migratory farmworkers and to establish a stronger public health infrastructure for this risk group.

Intestinal parasites, nutritional status and physchomotor development delay in migratory farm worker's children

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites, nutritional status and physchomotor developmental delay and anaemia in children of migratory seasonal farm worker families.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, 168 children aged between 6 and 59 months selected through probability sampling method were contacted in the Sanliurfa district of south-eastern Anatolia of Turkey. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire, anthropometry and Ankara Developmental Screening Inventory to measure physchomotor development. In order to evaluate the anaemia, finger-prick blood samples were used and laboratory analyses of faecal samples were conducted.

RESULTS

55.4% of children were infected by intestinal parasites. The most common infections involved the protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis (37.2%). Of the children 17.8% had general psychomotor development delay. Regarding the nutritional status of the 168 children who participated, 38.1% were stunted, 20.8% were underweight, and 5.4% were wasted. Of these children, 16.6% were anaemic.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrated that the children of migratory seasonal farm workers were defined as a high-risk group in terms of nutritional status, intestinal parasites and physchomotor development delay. Therefore, the effective delivery of mobile environmental and individual primary healthcare services to the farm workers' children must be ensured both while residing in the agricultural zone and in their permanent addresses.