Hygiene practices and awareness regarding Milk borne diseases (MBD) among dairy workers in unorganized urban settings of Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India

Background: Dairy work is thought to be predominantly a rural occupation. However, due to preferences we see a lot of urban residents consume fresh milk and hence, few people even in the urban areas take up cattle rearing as a cost effective profession. In the midst of much talked re-emerging diseases, caused by close habitation of animals and man, it would be very relevant to see living conditions of these populations and their hygiene practices in a space compromised scenario. In urban settings, they stay in close proximity and due to socioeconomic conditions, dairy workers in do not have appropriate amenities to tend on the cattle,clean or even scope for proper waste disposal. This in nutshell, leads to a disease enabling environment and the study aims at reviewing these living conditions. Besides, an assessment of health conditions of the dairy workers, their awareness regarding the milk borne diseases(MBD) was done. The findings helped generate recommendations for improvement of the profession and ultimately the quality of the milk. Objectives:1) Assess the hygiene practices during the stages of milk collection, storage and transport of milk among the sampled dairy workers from urban unorganized settings of Bhubaneswar. 2) Assess awareness of these workers regarding milk borne diseases. Methodology: This cross?sectional survey was part of a larger study and was conducted in unorganized sector of dairy workers in Bhubaneswar. 60 dairy households were surveyed and from each household, 2 members actively involved in dairy work were selected.The study tool was a semi structured, mixed questionnaire. The questionnaire had 3 sections; A was regarding household information(General sociodemographic details and Housing conditions for 60 HHs); B was to elicit the hygiene status of dairy workers(n=120) during each step of their work, their milk handling details during milk collection, storage and transportation; C had questions to assess the awareness of dairy worker regarding MBD. Results: Hygiene practices were very dismal at all points like milking,storage and transportation. Only 5.0% dairy households practised cleaning udder twice- prior to and after milking. Only 35% households kept the milk storage containers covered. 44.2% workers agreed that “MBD” is a community health problem. On general examination, pallor and icterus was found among workers. This strongly brings out that this group not only have the potential to be infected by zoonotic diseases, but can also transmit it to through the milk they are selling. A felt need is assessed for these workers in terms of creating standards of hygiene practices of cattle and milk handling and also impart them training on improving their occupational practices.

Development of a Questionnaire for Measuring Employees’ Perception of Selection, Optimisation and Compensation at the Leadership, Group and Individual Levels

This study is the first to develop a questionnaire to measure employees’ perceptions of the use of the action strategies selection, optimisation, and compensation (SOC) beyond the individual level, which has so far been lacking in research and practice. The study thus contributes an important tool for research into the role of SOC strategies at the leadership, group, and individual levels for long and healthy working lives. It may also be used by practitioners as a tool to provide input when developing targeted interventions to support long and healthy working lives. The development of the questionnaire was based on SOC theory, qualitative and cognitive interviews, and existing SOC questionnaires. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were tested on data from a cross-sectional survey with responses from 785 nurses and 244 dairy workers. Results from confirmatory factor analyses supported the theoretically expected nine-factor structure of the questionnaire in both study populations (nurses and dairy workers). Furthermore, the results largely supported the criterion validity and internal reliability of the scales in the questionnaire. Nevertheless, further validation across additional occupational groups is needed.

Precarious Essential Work, Immigrant Dairy Farmworkers, and Occupational Health Experiences in Vermont

Migrant dairy workers in Vermont face a wide range of occupational and health hazards at work. This research examines the environmental risks, occupational health hazards, and health outcomes experienced by migrant dairy farm workers in Vermont. This research draws on a triangulation of sources including analysis of data—surveys and interviews with migrant dairy farmworkers gathered by the organization Migrant Justice since 2015 as well as relevant key informant interviews with community organizations across the state to characterize the occupational health experiences of migrant dairy workers in Vermont. Our results show that Vermont migrant dairy farmworkers received poor health and safety training and lacked sufficient protective gear. Over three quarters of the respondents reported experiencing harm from chemical and biological risks. Close to half the survey respondents reported headaches, itchy eyes and cough; a quarter reported breathing difficulties; three fourths reported being hurt by animal-related risks. These exposures and existing health concerns are avoidable. Migrant workers require better social representation and advocates to negotiate better work-related protection and training, access to health services, and social welfare to ensure their health and safety.

Association of Exposure to Cattle with Self-Reported History of TB Among Dairy Workers

Background: Mycobacterium bovis (bTB) is a potential health hazard to dairy workers. This study uses the One Health wholistic framework for examining bovine tuberculosis (TB) and its relationship to human health. This approach can help bridge surveillance data gaps and contribute to disease control and prevention programs for dairy farm workers, cattle, and the environment. The primary objective of this study was to compare the self-reported history of TB among dairy workers in Bailey County, Texas, with occupational categories of risk and exposure to TB. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among dairy workers. Job positions were used as a proxy for exposure to cattle—high and medium/low. We employed bivariate analyses to examine differences between groups using both the chi-square test and the nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: Of the 293 dairy workers invited, 77.0% ( n = 225) participated. No statistically significant associations were found between job categories and reported history of TB exposure. Workers in the high group were younger, Guatemalan males with lower levels of formal education, more likely to be single with no children, and cohabitating with coworkers compared with the medium/low group. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Self-reported TB history among dairy workers is an imprecise measure of being previously diagnosed with TB. Dairy workers at risk for occupationally acquired TB could be tested for TB before employment and tested periodically thereafter, and more expeditiously treated if a positive test is obtained. Future studies should focus on the feasibility of offering on-farm health services, such as TB screening.

PSV-5 Dairy worker perspectives on performing euthanasia as an essential component of their job

Euthanasia is a critical component of dairy management as it provides a way to alleviate animal suffering. Limited research explores dairy worker perspectives regarding their role in performing euthanasia or the impact of this practice on worker wellbeing. Additionally, training offered to caretakers is inconsistent in content and frequency and lacks cultural congruence. This project aimed to identify how euthanasia methods, procedures, and training affect caretaker attitudes towards performing on-farm euthanasia, job satisfaction and sense of well-being of dairy workers and managers. Focus groups, facilitated by Colorado State University researchers, were conducted at five large Colorado dairies. Thirty-eight animal caretakers (workers, n = 29; managers, n = 8; and veterinarians, n = 1) participated in focus groups according to their job description and language of choice (English or Spanish). Focus groups were recorded for subsequent transcription and translation. Thematic analysis was performed to identify recurring themes in the transcripts. Themes that emerged from the focus groups included: stressors related to physical, work, and social environments; euthanasia techniques, frequency, process, decision making, and who performs this task; the language used when referring to euthanasia; animal welfare; and the effect of the human-animal bond on euthanasia decision-making and performing euthanasia. Preliminary analysis of themes indicated that multiple factors influence how euthanasia is performed and the euthanasia decision-making process. Additionally, euthanasia and job-related tasks were identified as sources of stress for dairy workers. Strength of the human-animal bond and worker compassion towards the animals they care for were evident for all participants. Initial analysis showed a lack of caretaker awareness regarding mental health services available in their community. Training programs on dairy farms should incorporate worker health and safety, particularly as it pertains to performing euthanasia, and address the mental wellbeing of dairy workers. Information regarding mental health services in the community should also be accessible to caretakers.