Recorded presentation

Kathleen R. Ferguson, MS¹, Susan G. Gerberich, PhD², Bruce H. Alexander, PhD², Timothy R. Church, PhD³, Andrew D. Ryan, MS⁴, Colleen M. Renier, BS⁵, Steven J. Mongin, MS³, and Ann Masten, PhD³. (1) School of Public Health, Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, Regional Injury Prevention Research Center, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code 807, 420 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-624-1449, ferg0114@umn.edu, (2) Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Mayo Mail Code 807, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (3) Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 807, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (4) Health Studies Section, University of Minnesota, Gateway Building Suite 350, 200 Oak St., Minneapolis, MN 55455, (5) Division of Education & Research, St. Mary's/Duluth Clinic Health System, 5AV2ME, 400 E 3rd St, Duluth, MN 55805

This study analyzed musculoskeletal back injuries to child and adult agricultural household members and characterized potential risk factors for injuries related to participants’ agricultural operations.

From a random sample of 16,000 operations, 16,538 people were followed through 1999. Demographic, exposure, and injury data were collected using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Injury rates, adjusted for within-household correlation, non-response, and unknown eligibility, were calculated using generalized linear models. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were generated using logistic regression; selection of confounders was based on directed acyclic graphs.

The back injury rate was 18.1/1,000 persons/year. Animals, general activities, and falls were the most common sources. One-third of injured adults and children had one week or more of restricted activity; one-third of adults and one-half of children had one week or more of lost agricultural work. At interview time, 25% of cases reported persistent symptoms. Decreased risk of back injury (ORs; 95% CIs) was identified for ages <15 (0.03; 0.01, 0.07), 15-19 (0.1; 0.1, 0.2), and 20-24 (0.1; 0.03, 0.4), compared with those 35-44, and for working zero (0.04; 0.01, 0.3) or 1-20 (0.3; 0.2, 0.5), compared with >80, hours/week on their operation. Increased risk was observed for males (3.1; 2.3, 4.1), those with prior agricultural injuries (2.9; 2.2, 3.9), and residents of North Dakota (1.6; 1.0, 2.4) and South Dakota (2.0; 1.3, 3.0) versus Minnesota.

There is a considerable burden from back injuries on adults and children in this population; risk is associated with age, gender, work hours, prior injury, and state.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the occurrence of musculoskeletal back injuries among all members of agricultural households with children.
• Discuss the incidence and consequences of musculoskeletal back injuries among agricultural household members.
• List potential risk factors for musculoskeletal back injuries among agricultural household members.

Keywords: Occupational Injury and Death, Injury Risk

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation