scholarly journals Cooling Interventions Among Agricultural Workers: Qualitative Field-Based Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 154041532199342
Author(s):  
Roxana Chicas ◽  
Nezahualcoyotl Xiuhtecutli ◽  
Nathan Eric Dickman ◽  
Joan Flocks ◽  
Madeleine K. Scammell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Workers ◽  
Direct Sunlight ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Cooling Devices ◽  
Protection Strategies ◽  
Prevention Studies ◽  
Work Routine ◽  
Study Support ◽  
Personal Cooling ◽  
Occupational Settings

Introduction: Agricultural workers perform intense labor outside in direct sunlight and in humid environmental conditions exposing them to a high risk of heat-related illness (HRI). To implement effective cooling interventions in occupational settings, it is important to consider workers’ perceptions. To date, an analysis of agricultural workers’ experience and perception of cooling devices used in the field while working has not been published. Methods: Qualitatively data from 61 agricultural workers provided details of their perceptions and experiences with cooling interventions. Results: The participants in the bandana group reported the bandana was practical to use at work and did not interfere with their work routine. Cooling vest group participants agreed that the vest was effective at cooling them, but the practicality of using the vest at work was met with mixed reviews. Conclusion: The findings of this qualitative study support and extend existing research regarding personal cooling and heat prevention research interventions with vulnerable occupational groups. Personal cooling gear was well received and utilized by the agricultural workers. Sustainable heat prevention studies and governmental protection strategies for occupational heat stress are urgently needed to reduce the risk of heat-related morbidity, mortality, and projected climate change health impacts on outdoor workers.

scholarly journals Variation in Men’s Dietary Intake Between Occupations, Based on Data From the Japan Environment and Children’s Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1621-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rie Tanaka ◽  
Mayumi Tsuji ◽  
Keiko Asakura ◽  
Ayako Senju ◽  
Eiji Shibata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Workplace Health Promotion ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Agricultural Workers ◽  
Dietary Recommendations ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Occupational Classification ◽  
Standard Occupational Classification

There has been increasing interest in dietary health promotion in the workplace. Although many previous studies have focused on dietary habits in specific occupations, variation between occupational groups requires clarification. The present study aimed to examine differences in food and nutrient intake between occupational groups, using detailed classification. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study. The study included 38,721 employed Japanese expectant fathers aged between 20 and 65 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Occupations were categorized into 11 categories according to the Japan Standard Occupational Classification. Analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were performed to compare dietary intake of occupational groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the differences in adherence to dietary recommendations across occupations. Dietary intake differed significantly between occupations. Specific dietary intake was observed in security and agricultural workers, who tended to exhibit higher consumption levels for numerous foods and nutrients. In addition, relative to other workers, security workers showed higher intake of dairy products and calcium, and agricultural workers consumed larger amounts of pickles and salt. The study categorized occupations into detailed categories using the Japan Standard Occupational Classification, which facilitated the clarification of overall dietary trends across occupations and identification of specific dietary characteristics in individual occupations. The findings could aid in workplace health promotion.

scholarly journals Patterns of suicide by occupation in England and Wales: 2001–2005

2008 ◽  
Vol 193 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Howard Meltzer ◽  
Clare Griffiths ◽  
Anita Brock ◽  
Cleo Rooney ◽  
Rachel Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Construction Workers ◽  
Agricultural Workers ◽  
Mortality Data ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Suicide Rates ◽  
Prevalence Of Depression ◽  
Proportional Mortality ◽  
Standardised Mortality Ratios

BackgroundSuicide rates vary by occupation but this relationship has not been frequently studiedAimsTo identify the occupations with significantly high suicide rates in England and Wales in 2001–2005 and to compare these with rates from previous decadesMethodMortality data from death registrations in England and Wales over the calendar years 2001–2005 were used to calculate proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) and standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) for both men and women aged 20–64 years by their occupationResultsAmong men, in 2001–2005, construction workers, and plant and machine operatives had the greatest number of suicides. The highest PMRs were for health professionals (PMR=164) and agricultural workers (PMR=133). Among women, administrative and secretarial workers had the greatest number of suicides yet the highest PMRs were found for health (PMR=232), and sport and fitness (PMR=244) occupationsConclusionsExcess mortality from suicide remains in some occupational groups. The apparent changes in suicide patterns merits further exploration, for example examining the prevalence of depression and suicidal ideation in medical practitioners, dentists, veterinarians, agricultural workers, librarians and construction workers

Comparison of Thermal Manikin Modeling and Human Subjects’ Response During Use of Cooling Devices Under Personal Protective Ensembles in the Heat

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler Quinn ◽  
Jung-Hyun Kim ◽  
Yongsuk Seo ◽  
Aitor Coca
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Heat Stress ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Thermal Manikin ◽  
Metabolic Equivalents ◽  
Humid Environment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Cooling Devices ◽  
Personal Cooling

AbstractIntroductionPersonal protective equipment (PPE) recommended for use in West Africa during the Ebola outbreak increased risk for heat illness, and countermeasures addressing this issue would be valuable.Hypothesis/ProblemThe purpose of this study was to examine the physiological impact and heat perception of four different personal cooling devices (PCDs) under impermeable PPE during low-intensity exercise in a hot and humid environment using thermal manikin modeling and human testing.MethodsSix healthy male subjects walked on a treadmill in a hot/humid environment (32°C/92% relative humidity [RH]) at three metabolic equivalents (METs) for 60 minutes wearing PPE recommended for use in West Africa and one of four different personal cooling devices (PCDs; PCD1, PCD2, PCD3, and PCD4) or no PCD for control (CON). The same ensembles were tested with thermal manikin modeling software in the same conditions to compare the results.ResultsAll PCDs seemed to reduce physiological heat stress characteristics when worn under PPE compared to CON. Both the manikin and human testing provided similar results in core temperature (Tc) and heat sensation (HS) in both magnitude and relationship. While the manikin and human data provided similar skin temperature (Tsk) characterization, Tskestimation by the manikin seemed to be slightly over-estimated. Weight loss, as estimated by the manikin, was under-estimated compared to the human measurement.ConclusionPersonal cooling device use in conjunction with impermeable PPE may be advantageous in mitigating physiological and perceptual burdens of heat stress. Evaluation of PCDs worn under PPE can be done effectively via human or manikin testing; however, Tskmay be over-estimated and weight loss may be under-estimated. Thermal manikin testing of PCDs may provide fast and accurate information to persons recommending or using PCDs with PPE.QuinnT,KimJH,SeoY,CocaA.Comparison of thermal manikin modeling and human subjects’ response during use of cooling devices under personal protective ensembles in the heat.Prehosp Disaster Med.2018;33(3):279–287.

An analysis of the sex ratio and occupational class in Japan

1982 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 277-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Motoi Murata ◽  
Yoko Imaizumi
Keyword(s):  
Social Class ◽  
Sex Ratio ◽  
Birth Order ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Paternal Age ◽  
Agricultural Workers ◽  
Occupational Class ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Secondary Sex Ratio ◽  
Multipleregression Analysis

SummaryTo investigate the effect of social class on the secondary sex ratio, atotal of 7·2 million births in the period 1975–78 in Japan has been tabulated according to the occupation of the head of the household, paternal and maternal ages and birth order. Although the variation in the sex ratio among occupational classes is not statistically significant, the changes observed are compatible with those reported by other authors. Multipleregression analysis revealed that the association of birth order and paternal age with the sexratio is relatively consistent among different occupational classes, while that of maternal age varies substantially among occupational groups, a significant negative regression on maternal age being observed in agricultural workers.

Health psychology and health promotion

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toni Faltermaier
Keyword(s):  
Health Psychology ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Resources ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Occupational Groups ◽  
Socially Disadvantaged ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Health And Illness ◽  
Prevention And Health Promotion ◽  
Basic And Applied Research

Abstract. The Flensburg health psychology group takes a salutogenic perspective and aims at developing innovative health promotion approaches. It stands in the interdisciplinary context of health and educational sciences. Our focus in research is on both, stress processes and lay representations of health and illness in the context of salutogenic theories of health. Basic and applied research activities aim at developing subject-oriented approaches of prevention and health promotion that are designed to promote health resources and competencies in selected settings and target groups. Current research is concentrated on socially disadvantaged groups, on occupational groups and on men to develop tailored health promotion approaches that reach groups in need and which show sustainable effects.

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