Risk Perceptions of Occupational Hazards Among Black Farmers in the Southeastern United States

Abstract

Farming is one of the most hazardous occupations in the United States, and it is no less dangerous for black farmers than it is for farmers of other ethnic backgrounds. Yet very little research has addressed the epidemiology of occupational risks for black farmers, nor has research investigated the risk perceptions of black farmers. Occupational risk perception data are needed if culturally appropriate interventions are to be implemented. This article presents the results of a study designed as a first step in the process of designing an intervention program for black farmers. This study used data collected through in‐depth interviews and focus group interviews to analyze the occupational risk perceptions of black farmers in four southeastern states: Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee. These farmers are realistic about the hazardous nature of farming. They perceive carelessness rather than fate to be an important cause of farm injury. They realize that changing technology has brought new risks as well as benefits. Like those from other ethnic backgrounds, these farmers grouped most of their occupational risks around the major production activities of using machinery, using chemicals, and working with livestock.

Treating Skin Disease

“…15 Qualitative analyses have been used by investigators in documenting beliefs and behaviors of farmers and farmworkers related to agricultural health issues including general risk perceptions, injury, pesticide exposure, cancer, and green tobacco sickness. [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] In-depth interviews were completed with 30 Latino farmworkers. Seven or eight interviews were conducted each month from May through August 2004, the months when substantial numbers of Latino migrant and seasonal farmworkers are present in North Carolina.…”

Chronic agricultural chemical exposure among migrant and seasonal farmworkers

“…Farmers repbrt having used such materials as lead arsenic in their youth (Arcury 1995(Arcury , 1997. Several, such as DDT and aldrin (Moses 1989), have been banned more recently because of the risks they pose to the environment and human health.…”

Active Coping, Personal Satisfaction, and Attachment to Land in Older African-American Farmers

“…The bulk of agricultural health research has addressed farm injuries and their causes, but even within these reports there is little that is specific to minority groups (Kraus, 1985;Myers, 1990;Voaklander, Umbarger-Mackey, & Wilson, 2009). Research on agricultural minority groups has focused on risk perception knowledge and injury rates (Arcury, 1995;McGwin, Enochs, & Roseman, 2000), but does not address the unique farming culture of these groups and their mental health. Farm culture for this population encompasses perspectives on work that are motivated by their attachment to the land and coping with hardships.…”