Health Status of Migrant Farmworkers in the Shenandoah Valley

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics and health status of a sample of migrant farmworkers in the Shenandoah Valley. The methodology for this study is a retrospective record review and analysis of data on 390 male migrant farmworkers. The group included men from Mexico (57. 2%), Jamaica (26. 9%), and Haiti (13. 0%) with a mean age of 38.5 years. The most common health problems reported were work-related and included musculoskeletal pain, irritated eyes, and respiratory symptoms. This study identifies areas for community and public health nurses to target interventions to address health promotion/disease prevention efforts.

Discourse on culture in research on immigrant and migrant workers’ health

“…Thirty‐two articles (30%) mentioned culture in relation to health and safety training, education, outreach or intervention. Most of these articles noted the challenges stemming from cultural differences and the need for or examples of culturally appropriate programs, with language and culture often mentioned together in this regard. In some cases, researchers advocated modifying workers’ attitudes and behaviors such as enhancing workers’ cultural skills, establishing and communicating proper conduct for employees, putting in place “An intervention for assertive communication skills such as disagreeing or refusing requests,” (p211) and deconstructing the “hardworking Latino” stereotype for day labourers and employers .…”

“…One article discussed how representations of health, illness and therapy of both clinicians and patients may impact interactions, while a number noted the importance of promotoras, medical interpreters, and community partners for culturally competent care and improved access to information and services for patients …”

Inmigración, trabajo y salud: revisión bibliográfica sobre migración entre México y los Estados Unidos

“…Según datos de la Oficina del Censo de los Estados Unidos (Passel y Cohn, 2009), la mayoría de los inmigrantes indocumentados laboran en la agricultura (25%), seguidos de empleos en jardinería y mantenimiento de edificios (19%), construcción (17%), preparación y servicio de alimentos (12%) y producción (10%). Numerosos estudios en los Estados Unidos han demostrado que los trabajadores agrícolas inmigrantes constituyen poblaciones vulnerables que pade cen altas tasas de lesiones y enfermedad (Arcury, Rodriguez, Kearney, Arcury, y Quandt, 2014;Brock, Northcraft-Baxter, Escoffery, y Greene, 2012;Kelly, Glick, Kulbok, Clayton, y Rovnyak, 2012;McCurdy y Kwan, 2012;Shipp, Cooper, del Junco, Cooper, y Whitworth, 2013). Los principales riesgos para los trabajadores agrícolas son la exposición a plaguicidas y metales pesados, la exposición al sol, lesiones musculoesqueléticas y la falta de saneamiento de los campos de cultivo (Quandt et al, 2010;Sakala, 1987).…”

Concurrence and selection of sexual partners as predictors of condom use among Mexican indigenous migrant workers

“…Palabras Clave: Condones; población indígena; parejas sexuales; migrantes; adulto joven (fuente: DeCS, BIREME). H ealth conditions in migrant agricultural workers (MAW) in low-income settings are characterized by high levels of morbidity and mortality, being mental disorders, drug abuse, sexually transmitted infections (STI), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection common public health problems (1).…”