Field Actions Science Reports (Mar 2014)
Depression, perceived stress and nervios associated with injury in the MICASA Study, a California farm worker population
Abstract
Introduction: While many studies report on the risks of agricultural injury, few have examined psychosocial factors associated with injury, especially among Latino farm workers. We examined psychological factors, including depression, perceived stress, social support and nervios that may be associated with an increased risk of injury. Methods: MICASA is a population-based study of occupational exposures and health in farm workers. An interviewer-administered questionnaire collected data on 759 Latinos, 18-55 years old, engaged in farm work and residing in Mendota, CA. The questionnaire assessed self-reported psychosocial factors and injury risk. A qualifying injury was defined as one with the need for medical care, going to a medical setting, loss of consciousness, >½ day lost work time or restricted from normal activities. Results: Mean age was 37.9 years. 65.0% of participants were born in Mexico and 27.7% were born in El Salvador. The past-year cumulative incidence of injury was 9.0%. A higher cumulative incidence of past-year injury was observed among participants older than 40 years (55.9% vs. 37.1 %), current smokers (17.7% vs. 10.7%), working in agriculture more than 11 years (65.7% vs. 52.7%), and long-term U.S. residents (more than 21 years) (58.8% vs. 42.6%). After adjusting for age, sex, and current smoking, depression (OR=5.4, 95% CI: 3.1-9.4) and nervios (OR=2.2, 95% CI: 1.3-3.8) were significantly associated with injury. Conclusions: The findings may be useful for guiding prevention and management of injury. Further cohort research to confirm the temporality of the association between psychosocial variables and injury is needed.
