Strategies of health preservation of agricultural workers with occupational diseases (material of focus-group research)

Abstract

The aim of the work is to analyze the attitude of employers to health preserving practices among agricultural workers with occupational diseases. Material and methods. Applying qualitative research strategy — focus-group interview (research period: 2015-2016). The basis of the study is opinion of peasant farm enterprise employers from Saratov region (n=8). Results. The article reveals formal character of health preserving actions aimed at agricultural workers with occupational diseases who are involved in work associated with occupational hazards at peasant farm enterprises. Breach of employment requirements and norms, conditions of work, sanitary and medical protection on the part of employers has also been stated. Failure of working career alternative adequate to somatic state of employees and absence of formed value system among agricultural workers aimed at health preserving practices have been detected as well. Conclusion. On the basis of employers opinion it is possible to state weakening of responsibility on the part of an employer as an active agent of health preserving process and its transfer to employees.

Keywords

• agricultural workers
• occupational disease
• strategies of health preservation