Exposure Risks and Tetanus Immunization in Women of Family Owned Farms

Abstract

A sampling pool of 4,808 farms in 10 parishes across southeast Louisiana was used to examine the risk factors of farm women who engage in activities putting them at risk for tetanus and to examine the circumstances related to vaccination. Data were collected, via stratified random sampling, in summer 1998 resulting in 657 completed interviews. Only 53.6% of women were current with a tetanus booster, having received their immunization within the past 10 years. Just as many women received tetanus vaccination following an injury or accident as for prevention. As women aged, they were less likely to be compliant. In the

The Risky Business of Production Agriculture: Health and Safety for Farm Workers

“…In a study of women who resided in farm households in Louisiana, only 53.7% of the women had a current tetanus immunization. Only half of the immunizations were routine, indicating that farm women may not include tetanus immunizations in their preventive health measures (Holland, 2001). Children perform farm work at young ages and are exposed to agricultural hazards because of their home residence or because they visit farms.…”