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Mohammadrezaei M, Meredith D, McNamara J. Telling Tales: Using Vignettes to Overcome Optimism Bias in Farm Health and Safety Attitudinal Studies. J Agromedicine 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38888053 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2024.2365638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Measuring attitudes of farmers to safe farming practices using quantitative causal relationship approaches is central to improving understanding of (un)safe practices. This knowledge is important in the development of effective farm safety interventions. However, the accuracy of quantitative attitudinal studies in explaining farmers' decision-making faces a potential measurement challenge, i.e. a high level of optimism bias. In this paper, we present research that develops and tests farm safety attitudinal questions that are framed around "real-life" farming practices with the objective of reducing optimism bias. METHODS We apply construal level theory (CLT) to support the design of vignettes that reflect common risk scenarios faced by farmers. Applying qualitative analysis of 274 fatal farm incidents that occurred in Ireland between 2004 and 2018 we identify the occupational behaviors (what farmers do), social (who are farmers), spatial (where farming takes place), and temporal (when farming happens) dimensions of risks resulting in most deaths. The results informed subsequent co-design activities with farm safety experts and farm advisors to develop "real-life" scenarios, attitudinal questions, and response options. The questionnaire was piloted and subsequently implemented to collect data from a sample of 381 farmers with either tractors or livestock. The results of the survey were compared to previous attitudinal research on farmer's attitudes to safety in Ireland to establish if there was as follows: i) increased variance in the responses, and ii) a statistically significant difference in the attitudes of respondents compared to the results reported in previous studies. RESULTS The findings established that when farmers were provided with real-life scenarios, their responses were less optimistic and more varied, i.e. there was a greater range of responses, compared to previous studies. CONCLUSION Applying CTL to the development of attitudinal survey instruments anchors attitudinal questions within farming specific occupational, social, spatial, and temporal contexts. The use of vignettes that draw on real-life scenarios offers the potential for improved design of surveys that seek to understand farmer/worker practices. The results suggest that this approach can improve the measurement of attitudes to farm safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mohammadrezaei
- Rural Economy and Development Programme, Teagasc Food Research Centre Ashtown, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Meredith
- Rural Economy and Development Programme, Teagasc Food Research Centre Ashtown, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John McNamara
- Teagasc-Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Carlow, Ireland
- College of Health and Agricultural Sciences, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Qi X, Yao X, Cong X, Li S, Han M, Tao Z, Yang X, Qi X, Shi F, Wang S. Profile and risk factors in farmer injuries: a review based on Haddon matrix and 5 E's risk reduction strategy. Front Public Health 2024; 12:1322884. [PMID: 38903585 PMCID: PMC11187248 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1322884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Farmers are considered a high-risk group for intentional and unintentional injuries. This review identified significant risk factors for agricultural injuries in farmers and explored injury prevention countermeasures based on the literature. Therefore, CiteSpace software was used to analyze the relevant literature in this field. Additionally, we identified both key risk factors and countermeasures using the Haddon matrix and the 5 E's risk reduction strategies conceptual framework, respectively. The risk factors were identified from four categories (host, agent, physical environment, and social environment) corresponding to three phases (pre-event, event, and post-event). Interventions of 5 E's risk reduction strategies including education, engineering, enforcement, economic, and emergency response have been proven effective in preventing injuries or reducing their severity. Our findings provide a comprehensive foundation and research direction for the study and prevention of injuries among farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejie Qi
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xue Yao
- Department of Interventional Vascular Surgery, China Rongtong Medical and Health Group Zibo 148 Hospital, Zibo, China
| | - Xianzhu Cong
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Mei Han
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Zikun Tao
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xiao Qi
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Fuyan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Suzhen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medicine and Health of Shandong Province, Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
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McNamara J, Mohammadrezaei M, Moran B, Dillon E. Data Driven Identification of Injury Risk Factors During Expansion on Irish Dairy Farms. J Agromedicine 2024; 29:265-276. [PMID: 38193460 DOI: 10.1080/1059924x.2023.2293840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This paper sought to determine risk factors of occupational injury in the Irish dairy farming sector and to estimate the roles of both dairying expansion and the discipline of agricultural extension in influencing reducing injury occurrence. METHODS Data for this study was obtained via the Irish National Farm Survey (NFS). In total, 260 farm (83.6% of NFS dairy farm sample) workplace injury survey questionnaires were completed by NFS recorders by interviewing principal farm operators for year 2017. Injury survey data was analysed for 48 variables in conjunction with NFS core farm socio-economic, physical and financial data. Additionally, core data from 2010 for 78.5% of farms surveyed in 2017 was included in the study. Data were analysed using a three-step statistical testing process which met all Binary Logistic Regression assumptions. RESULTS The study found that dairy farms had a higher farm workplace occupational injury level compared to a previous study. The study data indicates occurrence of elevated injury levels on farms which expanded and which were intensively managed from a milk production perspective. Farm expansion was associated with increased labor units used and increased investment per hectare. The study also found that use of extension services and farm discussion group participation were not associated with injury occurrence. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates how a retrospective farm workplace occupational injury survey of Irish dairy farms, analysed in combination with farm business data can be used to identify injury risk factors, including those associated with production expansion. Irish dairy farms have a heightened farm workplace occupation injury level while dairy production expansion increased injury levels. Extension engagement did not influence on injury levels. Approaches to improve farm safety on dairy farms are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- John McNamara
- Teagasc, KT Health and Safety Unit, Kildalton, Kilkenny, Ireland
| | - Mohammad Mohammadrezaei
- Agrifood Business and Spatial Analysis Dept., Teagasc, Rural Economy Development Programme, Ashtown, Ireland
| | - Brian Moran
- Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Dept., Teagasc, Rural Economy Development Programme, Athenry, Ireland
| | - Emma Dillon
- Agricultural Economics and Farm Surveys Dept., Teagasc, Rural Economy Development Programme, Athenry, Ireland
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Surendran A, McSharry J, Meade O, Bligh F, McNamara J, Meredith D, O’Hora D. Increasing Machine-Related Safety on Farms: Development of an Intervention Using the Behaviour Change Wheel Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:5394. [PMID: 37048009 PMCID: PMC10093886 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Farming is essential work, but it suffers from very high injury and fatality rates. Machinery, including tractors, are a leading cause of serious injuries and fatalities to farmers and farm workers in many countries. Herein, we document the systematic development of an evidence-based, theory-informed behaviour change intervention to increase machine-related safety on farms. Intervention development progressed through four phases. Phase 1 defined the problem in behavioural terms based a review of the literature, Phase 2 identified candidate intervention targets through a series of focus groups guided by the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behaviour (COM-B) model and Phase 3 employed expert and stakeholder consultation guided by the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to consider potential target behaviours and intervention components and finalise the intervention content. Phase 4 finalised the evaluation strategies with a team of agricultural advisors who supported the rollout and identified outcome measures for the first trial. The target intervention was the identification of blind spots of farm tractors, and three priority target behaviours (farm safety practices) were identified. Following Phase 3, the intervention comprised four components that are delivered in a group-based, face-to-face session with farmers. In Phase 4, the acceptability, feasibility, and fidelity of these components were identified as the outcome measures for the first trial of the intervention. The four-phase systematic method detailed here constitutes an initial template for developing theory-based, stakeholder-driven, behaviour-change-based interventions targeting farmers and reporting such developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswathi Surendran
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (A.S.)
| | - Jennifer McSharry
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (A.S.)
| | - Oonagh Meade
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (A.S.)
| | - Francis Bligh
- Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, R93 XE12 Carlow, Ireland
| | - John McNamara
- Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, R93 XE12 Carlow, Ireland
| | - David Meredith
- Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, R93 XE12 Carlow, Ireland
| | - Denis O’Hora
- School of Psychology, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland; (A.S.)
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McNamara J, Mohammadrezaei M, Dillon E, Meredith D. Is presence of children or youth a farm workplace injury risk factor on Irish farms? Front Public Health 2023; 10:1074673. [PMID: 36743190 PMCID: PMC9889641 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1074673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John McNamara
- Teagasc—Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Farm Health and Safety Knowledge Transfer Unit, Kilkenny, Ireland
| | - Mohammad Mohammadrezaei
- Teagasc—Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Rural Economy Development Programme, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Emma Dillon
- Teagasc—Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Rural Economy Development Programme, Galway, Ireland
| | - David Meredith
- Teagasc—Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Rural Economy Development Programme, Dublin, Ireland
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Mohammadrezaei M, Meredith D, McNamara J, Kinsella J, Flannery S. Do social influences, awareness, or experience matter? Toward a better understanding of Farm-related Injury Risk Perception among agricultural science college students in Ireland. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1076332. [PMID: 36923033 PMCID: PMC10009155 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1076332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Formal farm safety education/training should be tailored, in terms of the approach, content and delivery, to students undertaking agriculture education and training to enhance Farm-related Injury Risk Perception (FIRP). To this end, this paper assesses factor(s) explaining or predicting levels of FIRP amongst students studying for a degree in agriculture science. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with a nationally representative sample of Bachelor of Agriculture Science (BAgrSc) students (N = 417) (aged 18-20) in Ireland. Descriptive [frequency and cross-tabulations) and inferential (Ordinal Logistic Regression (OLR)] analyses were applied to evaluate the effects of social influences, experience (of farming, of a near-miss or injury), and awareness (of others who were injured or killed on the farm) on FIRP. Results The study found that social influences negatively affected FIRP (P < 0.05). A relatively small number of students reported experiencing an injury (n = 56, 13.4%) that resulted in them being unable to participate in educational or social activities. A quarter of the respondents did, however, record experiencing a near-miss/close call (n = 106, 25.4%). A notable proportion (n = 144, 34.5%) of students had personal connections to someone who died as a consequence of a farm-related incident and 56.4% (n = 235) knew someone who was moderately or severely injured. OLR findings established that experiencing a severe injury, having a near-miss or close call, and awareness of a farm-related death or injury positively affects FIRP (P < 0.05). Conclusions Perception of farm risks amongst students in Ireland is low. Students who recorded higher levels of risk perception were, however, more likely to report experiencing a near-miss, close call or severe injury, or knowing someone who experienced a farm-related injury or fatality. Farmers, family or friends were found to negatively impact the FIRP and this reflects previous research findings. Our findings highlight the need for education and training programs to enhance opportunities for student peer-to-peer learning through sharing of experiences and/or knowledge of farm injuries and/or fatalities. Such activities will enhance awareness and understanding amongst the general population of students leading to increased FIRP and contribute to a reduction in risk-taking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mohammadrezaei
- Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Rural Economy Development Programme, Dublin, Ireland
| | - David Meredith
- Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Rural Economy Development Programme, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John McNamara
- Teagasc - Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, Farm Health and Safety Knowledge Transfer Unit, Kildalton Agricultural College, Kilkenny, Ireland
| | - James Kinsella
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sinéad Flannery
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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