Background This study was conducted to assess the health status and safety
practices among year-round adult farm workers and residents and included a
telephone interview survey of 1,727 persons from 552 farms.
Methods Logistic regression was used to analyze four safety questions.
Results Among 541 farm owner/operators significant predictors of making sub
stitutions in the use of chemicals and major changes to equipment include y
ounger age, more persons assisting on the farm, and higher gross sales. Hav
ing training is associated with having more than a high school education. A
mong all participants the perception that personal protective equipment are
useful is associated with being younger male, an owner/operator or worker,
and having at least a high school education.
Conclusions These findings suggest that older and less educated farmers sho
uld be targeted for health and safety programs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 38:71-81,
2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.