Individual and occupational characteristics associated with respiratory symptoms among Latino horse farm workers.
Abstract: Latino workers are likely exposed to a variety of respiratory hazards in the horse barn, yet the potential impact of these exposures on respiratory health has not been investigated. Methods: Using a community-based sample of 225 Latino horse farmworkers we investigated the prevalence of upper and lower respiratory symptoms and occupational characteristics associated with them. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with respiratory symptomology. Results: Upper respiratory symptoms prevalence ranged from 24% to 45%. Half of workers reported lower respiratory symptoms. Workers with symptoms were more likely to be female and have lower levels of English understanding. Workers who never/rarely used dust masks while working in the barn experienced over two times the odds of reporting upper respiratory symptoms. Conclusions: Many Latino horse workers experienced upper and lower respiratory symptoms. Dust mask use may protect workers in this and other enclosed livestock operations from respiratory symptoms.
© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Publication Date: 2015-05-04 PubMed ID: 25939676DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22452Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
This research article investigates the prevalence of respiratory symptoms in Latino horse farm workers and the occupational factors related to them. The findings suggest that many of these workers suffer from upper and lower respiratory symptoms, with dust mask use possibly serving as a protective measure.
Research Methodology
- The study used a community-based sample of 225 Latino horse farm workers to look into the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and potential occupational complications associated with these symptoms.
- Through multivariable logistic regression, researchers identified factors that could be associated with the manifestation of respiratory ailments.
Findings
- The prevalence of upper respiratory symptoms among the workers ranged from 24% to 45%.
- Approximately half of the participants in the study reported experiencing lower respiratory symptoms.
- Workers who were more likely to experience symptoms were found to be female and have lower English proficiency levels.
Impact of Protective Equipment
- Workers who did not use dust masks frequently while working in the barn were more likely to report upper respiratory symptoms. These individuals demonstrated over two times the odds of reporting these symptoms than those who did utilize dust masks.
Conclusion
- These findings highlight the significant prevalence of both upper and lower respiratory symptoms among many Latino horse workers.
- Implementing protective measures, such as the use of dust masks, may help safeguard these workers in enclosed livestock operations from experiencing these respiratory symptoms.
Cite This Article
APA
Swanberg JE, Clouser JM, Gan W, Mannino DM, Flunker JC.
(2015).
Individual and occupational characteristics associated with respiratory symptoms among Latino horse farm workers.
Am J Ind Med, 58(6), 679-687.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22452 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky.
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky.
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky.
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, Kentucky.
MeSH Terms
- Adult
- Agricultural Workers' Diseases / epidemiology
- Agricultural Workers' Diseases / etiology
- Animal Husbandry
- Animals
- Dust
- Farmers
- Female
- Hispanic or Latino
- Horses
- Humans
- Male
- Masks / statistics & numerical data
- Middle Aged
- Occupational Exposure / prevention & control
- Prevalence
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / epidemiology
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / etiology
- United States
Grant Funding
- 5U54OH007547-13 / NIOSH CDC HHS
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Ulu A, Sveiven S, Bilg A, Velazquez JV, Diaz M, Mukherjee M, Yuil-Valdes AG, Kota S, Burr A, Najera A, Nordgren TM. IL-22 regulates inflammatory responses to agricultural dust-induced airway inflammation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022 Jul 1;446:116044.
- Tumlin K, Liu S, Park JH. Framing Future of Work Considerations through Climate and Built Environment Assessment of Volunteer Work Practices in the United States Equine Assisted Services. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Oct 2;18(19).
- Sigsgaard T, Basinas I, Doekes G, de Blay F, Folletti I, Heederik D, Lipinska-Ojrzanowska A, Nowak D, Olivieri M, Quirce S, Raulf M, Sastre J, Schlünssen V, Walusiak-Skorupa J, Siracusa A. Respiratory diseases and allergy in farmers working with livestock: a EAACI position paper. Clin Transl Allergy 2020;10:29.
- Bulfin K, Cowie H, Galea KS, Connolly A, Coggins MA. Occupational Exposures in an Equestrian Centre to Respirable Dust and Respirable Crystalline Silica. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019 Sep 3;16(17).
- Hwang J, Golla V, Metwali N, Thorne PS. Inhalable and Respirable Particulate and Endotoxin Exposures in Kentucky Equine Farms. J Agromedicine 2020 Apr;25(2):179-189.
- Clouser JM, Bush A, Gan W, Swanberg J. Associations of Work Stress, Supervisor Unfairness, and Supervisor Inability to Speak Spanish with Occupational Injury among Latino Farmworkers. J Immigr Minor Health 2018 Aug;20(4):894-901.
- Swanberg JE, Clouser JM, Bush A, Westneat S. From the Horse Worker's Mouth: A Detailed Account of Injuries Experienced by Latino Horse Workers. J Immigr Minor Health 2016 Jun;18(3):513-521.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
