Chronic disease and health risk behaviors among rural agricultural workforce in Queensland
Article
Article Title | Chronic disease and health risk behaviors among rural agricultural workforce in Queensland |
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ERA Journal ID | 124675 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Pinidiyapathirage, Janani (Author), O’Shannessy, Megan (Author), Harte, Jane (Author), Brumby, Susan (Author) and Kitchener, Scott (Author) |
Journal Title | Journal of Agromedicine: interface of human health and agriculture |
Journal Citation | 23 (1), pp. 32-39 |
Number of Pages | 8 |
Year | 2018 |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 1059-924X |
1545-0813 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2017.1387634 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1059924X.2017.1387634 |
Abstract | Introduction: Little is known of the lifestyle behaviors and prevalence of chronic disease in the Australian agricultural workforce. This study aimed to assess behavioral risk factors and the prevalence of chronic disease among attendees of agricultural events in rural Queensland. Methods: Data on lifestyle risk factors and prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases were collected from participants in four separate cross-sectional studies in rural southern Queensland. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and glucose levels of consenting participants were assessed by trained medical students under the supervision of rural clinicians. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 statistical software package and t-tests and chisquare tests were used to compare differences between groups. Results: A total of 702 attendees participated; the majority were agricultural workers (n = 393). Greater psychological distress was reported among participants from these rural communities (42%) than in the Australian population (31%); however, levels of psychological distress was similar between agricultural workers and others in the sample. Fewer people in these agricultural communities reported smoking (10%), and they reported being more active (86%) than the average Australian, but a greater proportion reported high-risk alcohol consumption (53%) and were found to be hypertensive (31%). These findings were accentuated among agricultural workers. Conclusion: This method of investigation both raises awareness in the community and identifies health risks for further management in a group that has otherwise been poorly defined. Resident agricultural workers have different health risks and behaviors, though psychological distress appears to be borne across these communities. |
Keywords | agricultural workers; behavioral risk factors; chronic disease; rural Queensland |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420299. Epidemiology not elsewhere classified |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Agricultural Health and Medicine Research Group |
Griffith University | |
Deakin University | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q4z11/chronic-disease-and-health-risk-behaviors-among-rural-agricultural-workforce-in-queensland
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