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Arcury TA, Smith SA, Talton JW, Chen H, Laurienti PJ, Quandt SA. Depressive Symptoms of Latinx Women in Rural Farmworker and Urban Non-Farmworker Families in North Carolina. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2022; 9:2351-2360. [PMID: 34697765 PMCID: PMC8544181 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01172-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health among low-income Latinx women in the United States (US), including those in farmworker families, is a health equity concern. This analysis (1) describes the depressive symptoms among Latinx women in rural farmworker families and urban non-farmworker families and (2) delineates immigration and acculturation, family composition and disruption, and financial characteristics associated with depressive symptoms experienced by these women. METHODS Data are from a 2019-2020 cross-sectional survey of 66 rural farmworker and 52 urban non-farmworker women with a child participating in a study of pesticide exposure and neurocognitive development. Depressive symptoms were measured with the CES-D Short Form. RESULTS The median (25th-75th percentiles) depressive symptom score reported was 2.0 (1.0-4.0), with 10 (8.5%) women having depressive symptom scores of 10 or greater. In bivariate analysis, among immigration and acculturation characteristics, women born in the USA and who spoke English fluently had lower depressive symptom scores. Among family composition and disruption characteristics, married women, and those with two adults in the household had lower depressive symptom scores. No financial status characteristic had statistically significant associations with depressive symptom score. In multivariate analysis, rural farmworker women had an expected median score one point lower than did urban non-farmworker women. CONCLUSION Addressing mental health among immigrant women, particularly those in farmworker families, is a complex undertaking. Rural versus urban locality provides a context for mental health. Determining the proximal determinants of locality requires further analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Arcury
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Sydney A Smith
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jennifer W Talton
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Haiying Chen
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Paul J Laurienti
- Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Sara A Quandt
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
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Work-Life Stress during the Coronavirus Pandemic among Latina Farmworkers in a Rural California Region. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084928. [PMID: 35457795 PMCID: PMC9028285 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: To examine the type and severity of stressors experienced among Latina farmworkers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A survey containing the Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory was administered to 77 female-identifying Latina farmworkers working in a US–Mexico border region. A sub-sample of five participants participated in key-informant interviews. Data collection occurred in Summer 2021. Results: Nearly 40% of Latina farmworkers reported high stress levels indicative of clinical mental health risks. Health and safety concerns and experienced stressors identified included visible substance abuse and poor bathroom conditions at the field site, language barriers, and balancing work and home life demands. Conclusions: Latina farmworkers have unique health and safety needs, and COVID-19 has contributed to the experienced stressors. Understanding the familial and working environment sources of stress specific to female agriculture workers is imperative to implementing culturally and gender-responsive strategies to better support the health and safety of farming populations in future pandemics.
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Arcury TA, Smith SA, Talton JW, Quandt SA. The Abysmal Organization of Work and Work Safety Culture Experienced by North Carolina Latinx Women in Farmworker Families. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:4516. [PMID: 35457383 PMCID: PMC9029169 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The occupational health of immigrant workers in the United States is a major concern. This analysis describes two domains, organization of work and work safety culture, important to the occupational health of Latinx women in farmworker families. Sixty-seven Latinx women in North Carolina farmworker families completed a baseline and five follow-up questionnaires in 2019 through 2021. Fifty-nine of the women were employed in the year prior to the Follow-Up 5 Questionnaire. These women experienced an abysmal organization of work and work safety culture. They experienced significant job churn, with most changing employment several times during the 18-month period. Most of their jobs were seasonal, paid less than $10.00 per hour, piece-rate, and almost all without benefits. The women's jobs had little skill variety (mean 1.5) or decision latitude (mean 1.1), but had high psychological demands (mean 2.0). Work safety climate was very low (mean 13.7), with 76.3% of women noting that their supervisors were "only interested in doing the job fast and cheaply" rather than safely. Women employed as farmworkers versus those in other jobs had few differences. Further research and intervention are needed on the organization of work and work safety culture of Latinx women manual workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A. Arcury
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Sydney A. Smith
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (S.A.S.); (J.W.T.)
| | - Jennifer W. Talton
- Department of Biostatistics and Data Science, Division of Public Health Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (S.A.S.); (J.W.T.)
| | - Sara A. Quandt
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
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Stone GA, Fernandez M, DeSantiago A. Rural Latino health and the built environment: a systematic review. ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2022; 27:1-26. [PMID: 30999761 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2019.1606899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This study systematically reviewed literature examining the influence of the rural built environment on Latinos' health outcomes and behaviour in the United States. A secondary aim of the study was to identify strategies developed to address challenges in the rural built environment affecting Latinos' health.Design: This study followed the reporting guidelines set forth by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Articles included in the final analysis clearly linked Latino health outcomes to characteristics of the rural built environment.Results: Of the nearly 2,500 articles identified in the initial search, the final review included approximately 146 full-text sources. The majority of the articles focused on aspects of Latinos' physical (n = 68), behavioural (n = 43), and mental health (n = 23).Conclusions: Rural Latino neighbourhoods in the United States possess limited access to health care, internet, transportation, and recreation infrastructure, which negatively impacts health outcomes and behaviours. Strategies developed to mitigate these issues include but are not limited to: the use of telecommunications to distribute health information; the use of community health workers and mobile clinics to increase awareness and availability of select health services; the use of worksite trainings and adaptations to the workplace; and the promotion of safety net programmes, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Programme for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). This review supports the need for a more robust research agenda documenting the health experiences of rural Latinos of various nationalities, age groups, and genders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garrett A Stone
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
| | - Mariela Fernandez
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
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Curl CL, Meierotto L, Som Castellano RL. Understanding Challenges to Well-Being among Latina FarmWorkers in Rural Idaho Using in an Interdisciplinary, Mixed-Methods Approach. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 18:ijerph18010169. [PMID: 33383789 PMCID: PMC7795812 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to identify social, cultural and workplace-related risk factors affecting well-being among Latina farmworkers in rural Idaho. We recruited 70 Latina farmworkers from southwestern Idaho in 2019. We employed an inter-disciplinary, mixed-methods approach—including surveys, focus groups, interviews, and pesticide biomonitoring—to characterize multiple domains that influence well-being, including food security and access, housing conditions, social supports, access to medical care, and workplace safety. Six major themes emerged as primary challenges to Latina farmworkers’ well-being. In the public sphere, study participants identified these challenges as long working hours, concerns regarding pesticide exposure, and lack of enforcement of regulatory protections. Participants’ concerns regarding pesticide exposure were underscored by biological sampling results; multiple biomarkers of pesticide exposure were detected in all samples, with the highest concentrations measured in samples collected from women who reported mixing, loading or applying pesticides. Within the private sphere, food security and provisioning, childcare responsibilities, and social isolation were identified as significant challenges to well-being. Gender, ethnicity, and geography emerged as important, intersecting statuses that shaped the life experiences of these agricultural workers. Our findings suggest that gender may play a particularly critical role in the unique challenges facing Latina farmworkers. As a result, the services and regulations needed to support well-being in this population may be highly specific, and almost certainly include attention to work–family dynamics, pesticide exposure, and social connections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia L. Curl
- Department of Community and Environmental Health, College of Health Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Lisa Meierotto
- School of Public Service, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA;
| | - Rebecca L. Som Castellano
- Department of Sociology, College of Arts and Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA;
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Fargnoli M, Lombardi M. NOSACQ-50 for Safety Climate Assessment in Agricultural Activities: A Case Study in Central Italy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:E9177. [PMID: 33302581 PMCID: PMC7764403 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17249177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Safety climate assessment has been recognized as a powerful tool to bring to light workers' perceptions related to safety practices, attitudes and behaviors at the workplace. Accordingly, its investigation can provide useful information about safety problems within a company before accidents occur. In literature, numerous studies can be found investigating safety climates in different types of industry. However, safety climate assessment in agricultural activities is addressed scarcely, even though agriculture represents a very hazardous sector. To reduce this gap, the present study proposes an investigation of safety climate among farmers by means of the Nordic Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50). The results of the survey brought to light a low level of safety perception of the interviewed sample, especially as concerns safety commitment and risk-taking attitudes. In particular, a different attitude toward safety issues has been registered depending on both the position and gender of the interviewed farmers. Overall, the output of this cross-sectional analysis adds to the current literature by expanding knowledge of safety climate among farmers, representing a baseline for further investigations based on human-centered approaches to enhance safety in agriculture and consequently social and workplace aspects of sustainable agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Fargnoli
- Department of Chemical Engineering Materials Environment (DICMA), Sapienza-University of Rome, via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy;
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Examining Agricultural Workplace Micro and Macroclimate Data Using Decision Tree Analysis to Determine Heat Illness Risk. J Occup Environ Med 2020; 61:107-114. [PMID: 30335678 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000001484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was designed to examine the associations between regional weather data and agricultural worksite temperatures in Florida. METHODS Florida farmworkers (n = 105) were each monitored using iButton technology paired with simultaneous data from regional weather stations. Conditional inference tree models were developed for (1) regional environmental temperatures and iButton (worksite) temperatures, and (2) regional heat index (HI) and iButton HI. RESULTS Worksite temperatures were partitioned by regional temperature at the primary node of 29.1°C. Worksite HI was partitioned at nodes of 33.0°C, 36.0°C, 37.0°C, and 40.0°C. The nodes at 33.0°C and 40.0°C mirror the National Weather Service's category entry points for "extreme caution" and "danger" regarding the risk of developing heat-related illness. CONCLUSION Regional weather data have the potential to provide estimations of worksite environmental conditions allowing employers to quickly implement strategies to protect workers.
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Morris MC, Cooper RL, Ramesh A, Tabatabai M, Arcury TA, Shinn M, Im W, Juarez P, Matthews-Juarez P. Preparing Medical Students to Address the Needs of Vulnerable Patient Populations: Implicit Bias Training in US Medical Schools. MEDICAL SCIENCE EDUCATOR 2020; 30:123-127. [PMID: 34457650 PMCID: PMC8368413 DOI: 10.1007/s40670-020-00930-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about how medical students are trained to identify and reduce their own biases toward vulnerable patient groups. A survey was conducted among US medical schools to determine whether their curricula addressed physician implicit biases toward three vulnerable patient groups: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals, persons experiencing homelessness, and migrant farmworkers. Of 141 US medical schools, 71 (50%) responded. Survey respondents indicated that implicit bias is not routinely addressed in medical education, and training specific to vulnerable populations is infrequent. Recommendations for incorporating implicit bias training in medical school curricula are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew C. Morris
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS USA
| | - Robert Lyle Cooper
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Aramandla Ramesh
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience & Pharmacology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Mohammad Tabatabai
- School of Graduate Studies and Research, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Thomas A. Arcury
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC USA
| | - Marybeth Shinn
- Department of Human and Organizational Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Wansoo Im
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN USA
| | - Paul Juarez
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN USA
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Arcury TA, Sandberg JC, Talton JW, Laurienti PJ, Daniel SS, Quandt SA. Mental Health Among Latina Farmworkers and Other Employed Latinas in North Carolina. RURAL MENTAL HEALTH 2018; 42:89-101. [PMID: 30237844 PMCID: PMC6141195 DOI: 10.1037/rmh0000091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The mental health of Latinas with manual occupations, particularly those employed in agriculture, is a public health concern. The goals of this analysis were to describe the mental health of Latina farmworkers, and to compare their mental health with that of other Latina manual workers. Participants included 35 employed Latina farmworkers, 35 employed non-farmworkers, and 25 unemployed non-farmworkers who completed interviews in 2012. Measures included stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, elevated depressive symptoms, and risk for alcohol dependence. Farmworkers had greater stress and anxiety than did employed and unemployed non-farmworkers. Employed Latinas, whether farmworkers or in other occupations, had greater stress and anxiety than unemployed Latinas. Depressive symptoms, although high, did not differ significantly by occupation and employment. Few were at risk for alcohol dependence. Concrete steps are needed to address the mental health of Latina farmworkers, and to continue documentation of mental health concerns and their causes in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Arcury
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | - Joanne C Sandberg
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, and Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | - Jennifer W Talton
- Department of Biostatistical Sciences, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | | | - Stephanie S Daniel
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine
| | - Sara A Quandt
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, and Center for Worker Health, Wake Forest School of Medicine
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Read-Wahidi MR, DeCaro JA. Guadalupan Devotion as a Moderator of Psychosocial Stress among Mexican Immigrants in the Rural Southern United States. Med Anthropol Q 2017; 31:572-591. [DOI: 10.1111/maq.12372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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Arcury TA, Skelton JA, Ip EH, Suerken CK, Trejo G, Quandt SA. Anticipatory Guidance about Child Diet and Physical Activity for Latino Farmworker Mothers. J Health Care Poor Underserved 2016; 27:1064-79. [PMID: 27524752 DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2016.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This analysis describes farmworker child health care utilization, anticipatory guidance for child weight, and the association of anticipatory guidance with personal characteristics, practice characteristics, and child's health care utilization. METHODS Data are from interviews conducted with 221 North Carolina Latino farmworker mothers with a child aged 4-5 years. RESULTS Half of the children were healthy weight, 19.0% were overweight, and 28.5% were obese. Most (56.4%) had been with the usual practice for two years or longer; most had well-child visits less frequently than once per year (71.5%). Fewer children with well-child visits than without were obese (14.8% vs. 35.5%; p=.01). More children with obesity than with healthy weight or overweight received guidance messages; more children without a well-child care visit in the past 12 months received guidance messages. CONCLUSIONS Health care providers are addressing anticipatory guidance when the opportunity arises. Creative approaches to address disparate primary care for farmworker families are important.
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Latina Workers in North Carolina: Work Organization, Domestic Responsibilities, Health, and Family Life. J Immigr Minor Health 2015; 18:687-696. [DOI: 10.1007/s10903-015-0314-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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