Farming characteristics and self-reported health outcomes of Irish farmers

van Doorn, D. and Richardson, N. and Storey, A. and Osborne, A. and Cunningham, C. and Blake, C. and McNamara, J. (2018) Farming characteristics and self-reported health outcomes of Irish farmers. Occupational Medicine, 68 (3). pp. 199-202. ISSN 0962-7480

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Background Irish farmers represent a 'high-risk' group for non-communicable diseases, which, arguably, pose a greater occupational health challenge for farmers. To date, there has been little exploration of the farming characteristics associated with farmers' poor health outcomes. Aims To examine the relationship between farming and male farmers' self-reported health outcomes and to compare the study findings to national health studies to explore which factors specifically are associated with Irish farmers' poorer health outcomes relative to the general population. Methods This cross-sectional survey research used self-reported quantitative data on the health outcomes and health behaviours of male farmers from the South-East of Ireland. Data were entered into SPSS and descriptive and binary regression techniques were used for data analysis. Results There were 314 participants (99% response rate). Age, full-time farming and dairy farming significantly impacted self-reported health outcomes and health behaviours. There was a high prevalence of self-reported arthritis compared with the national average of Irish males. 'Younger' farmers ( < 45 years) were more likely to engage in harmful health behaviours such as smoking and 'bingedrinking' one or more times per week. Conclusions This study identified self-reported patterns of risky lifestyle behaviours among particular subgroups of Irish farmers for whom targeted health interventions are warranted. Interventions are particularly important for younger farmers who may see themselves as invincible and impregnable to ill-health.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Occupational Medicine. All rights reserved.
Uncontrolled Keywords: /dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2700/2739
Departments or Groups:
Depositing User: Admin SSL
Date Deposited: 19 Oct 2022 23:02
Last Modified: 08 Aug 2023 01:40
URI: http://repository-testing.wit.ie/id/eprint/3738

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item