Premium
Risk factors for falls among Iowa farmers: A case‐control study nested in the Agricultural Health Study
Author(s) -
Sprince Nancy L.,
Zwerling Craig,
Lynch Charles F.,
Whitten Paul S.,
Thu Kendall,
Gillette Patricia P.,
Burmeister Leon F.,
Alavanja Michael C.R.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.10267
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatism , occupational safety and health , environmental health , nested case control study , logistic regression , injury prevention , occupational medicine , poison control , case control study , agriculture , occupational exposure , pathology , ecology , biology
Background Farmers are at increased risk for fall‐related injury compared with other occupations. Little is known about risk factors for non‐fatal falls on the farm. This case‐control study, nested within the Agricultural Health Study, aimed to assess risk factors for work‐related falls among Iowa farmers. Methods A screener questionnaire sent to 6,999 farmers in 1998 identified 79 farmers who reported a fall‐related farm injury that required medical advice or treatment in the previous year. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess several possible risk factors for injury among these farmers compared with 473 farmers with no injury in the previous year. Results There were significant associations between fall‐related farm injury and age between 40 and 64 years (OR = 2.21; 95% CI = 1.20–4.07), doctor‐diagnosed arthritis/rheumatism (OR = 2.05; 95% CI = 1.11–3.79), difficulty hearing normal conversation (even with a hearing aid, in the case of those who used one) (OR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.07–3.08), and taking medications regularly (OR = 1.80; 95% CI = 1.02–3.18). Conclusions Aging and health impairments, such as arthritis and hearing difficulties, are risk factors for which accommodations and preventive strategies can be devised to prevent fall‐related injuries on the farm. Am. J. Ind. Med. 44:265–272, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.