The Saskatchewan Farm Injury Cohort: Rationale and Methodology

Abstract

The Saskatchewan Farm Injury Cohort (SFIC) is a major new Canadian study that was developed to evaluate potential causes of injury among farmers and their family members. The cohort involves 2,390 farms and 5,492 farm people being followed over a two-year period. The article describes the rationale and methodology for the baseline and longitudinal components of this study. The SFIC is one of the first studies to apply population health theory to the modeling of risks for injury in a defined Canadian population. In doing so, the relative influence of several potential causes of farm injury, including physical, socioeconomic, and cultural factors, will be estimated. Study findings will inform the content and targeting of injury prevention initiatives specific to the farm occupational environment.

Prevalence and Determinants of Sinus Problems in Farm and Non-Farm Populations of Rural Saskatchewan, Canada

“…Information on the variables described below was collected by self-administered, mailed questionnaires based on the Population Health Framework [21,22]. Some measures of lifestyle factors, occupational exposures, and socio-economic status used in our questionnaire were adopted from previous research studies that had validated these measures [22][23][24].…”

Prevention of agricultural injuries: an evaluation of an education-based intervention

“…As part of an existing study of injury and its determinants on Saskatchewan farms, we conducted a cross-sectional survey 21. This provided a data source and a platform for the present AHSN evaluation.…”

“…Clusters of farms were nested within rural municipalities. Lists of AHSN and non-AHSN rural municipalities in each of the three main agricultural regions, defined by soil zone and thus type of agriculture, were identified 21. Fifty rural municipalities (25 each AHSN and non-AHSN) were proportionally sampled for each soil zone.…”

Operational safety practices as determinants of machinery-related injury on Saskatchewan farms

“…In brief, approximately one-half (4234 farms; 52%) of 8169 farms that were initially approached returned the baseline questionnaire; 923 farms were ineligible, 887 farms refused participation and 34 farms returned partially completed questionnaires. This left 2390 eligible farms (out of 7246; or 33%) for consideration in the current analysis Pickett et al, 2008).…”

“…To ensure face validity, the questionnaire was piloted on a sub-sample of 50 farm people who were not subsequently enrolled in the study Pickett et al, 2008). In the full baseline survey, a designated adult respondent on each participating farm completed the baseline questionnaire.…”