Effects of progressive muscular relaxation and stretching exercises combination on blood pressure among farmers in rural areas of Indonesia: a randomized study†

Objective Maintaining blood pressure (BP) could improve the quality of life among farmers in agricultural health. The study aims to evaluate the effects of progressive muscular relaxation and stretching exercises (SEs) for BP in farmer subjects in rural areas. Methods A randomized controlled design was applied for this study. We performed a method, which is the combination of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) and SEs for participants (30 in the control group and 60 in the intervention group). The intervention group self-practiced PMR and SEs through a video that providing instructions for 15 min. PMR practiced before going to sleeping in the night, and SEs practiced before going to farms in the morning per day for 3-months. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to measure the difference between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) as one pre- and post-test comparison of baseline and 3 months data in control and intervention groups. Results There were no significant differences between SBP and DBP pre- and post-test in control group (P > 0.050). Meanwhile, there were significant differences in reducing SBP (M = 126.67; SD = 18.07; 95% CI = 120–147.5 mmHg) and DBP (M = 80.67; SD = 6.91; 95% CI = 80–90 mmHg) pre- and post-test combination of PMR and SEs in intervention group (P < 0.001). After 3-months of follow-up data, number type SBP and DBP still remained at the same levels of baseline and 3-month data in control group. While, there was an increased number of normal and prehypertension for SBP and DBP (10% vs. 10% and 20% vs. 31.6%) and reduced of hypertension stage I for SBP and DBP (30% vs. 41.6%). Conclusions This pilot study demonstrated effectively to reduce SBP and DBP among farmers using the combination of PMR and SEs in the agricultural health setting.

On the issue of alcoholic psychoses in children and alcoholism among young people

While on a business trip for agricultural health care. workers in the spring sowing campaign in 1931 (Kolpakovsky state farm Sakhkombpnata "Collectivist" Ivaninsky district Ts. Ch. O), I observed a case of acutely developed alcoholic psychosis in a peasant boy of 3 years of age.

Pathogens from Wild Birds at the Wildlife–Agriculture Interface

Birds are known to carry pathogens affecting human and agricultural health. Conversely, agricultural operations can serve as sources of pathogens that affect wild bird populations. This chapter provides guidelines to identify focal avian species that frequently use agricultural operations. These guidelines are coupled with identifying host types, such as maintenance and bridge hosts, and potential direct and indirect pathways for pathogen contamination from wild birds to agricultural operations, including patterns of spillover and spillback. The chapter also identifies major bacterial and viral pathogens of concern that are prevalent in birds and that affect human and agricultural health. These pathogens are then used to illustrate disease ecology concepts important at the wildlife–agriculture interface. These microorganisms include food-borne bacteria, influenza A viruses, and Newcastle disease virus. The chapter introduces the concept of contamination potential for categorizing avian species in terms of the risk they pose to contamination of agricultural operations with pathogens of concern. Finally, the chapter examines long-distance movements of wild birds in relation to pathogen introduction and illustrates this with global movement of influenza A viruses by wild birds.

Evaluation of Self-Reported Agricultural Tasks, Safety Concerns, and Health and Safety Behaviors of Young Adults in U.S. Collegiate Agricultural Programs

Young adults enrolled in collegiate agricultural programs are a critical audience for agricultural health and safety training. Understanding the farm tasks that young adults engage in is necessary for tailoring health and safety education. The project analyzed evaluation survey responses from the Gear Up for Ag Health and Safety™ program, including reported agricultural tasks, safety concerns, frequency of discussing health and safety concerns with healthcare providers, safety behaviors, and future career plans. The most common tasks reported included operation of machinery and grain-handling. Most participants intended to work on a family-owned agricultural operation or for an agribusiness/cooperative following graduation. Reported safety behaviors (hearing protection, eye protection, and sunscreen use when performing outdoor tasks) differed by gender and education type. Male community college and university participants reported higher rates of “near-misses” and crashes when operating equipment on the roadway. One-third of participants reported discussing agricultural health and safety issues with their medical provider, while 72% were concerned about the health and safety of their family and co-workers in agriculture. These findings provide guidance for better development of agricultural health and safety programs addressing this population—future trainings should be uniquely tailored, accounting for gender and educational differences.