Does Farming Have an Effect on Health Status? A Comparison Study in West Greece

Konstantinos Demos, Eleni Sazakli, Eleni Jelastopulu, Nikolaos Charokopos, John Ellul and Michalis Leotsinidis
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Konstantinos Demos: Rural Medical Dispensary of Dokimio, Health Centre of Thermo, Thermo, GR-30008, Greece
Eleni Sazakli: Laboratory of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Rio, Patras, GR-26504, Greece
Eleni Jelastopulu: Laboratory of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Rio, Patras, GR-26504, Greece
Nikolaos Charokopos: Department of Pulmonology, General Hospital of Pirgos, Pirgos, GR-27100, Greece
John Ellul: Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, Rio, Patras, GR-26504, Greece
Michalis Leotsinidis: Laboratory of Public Health, Medical School, University of Patras, Rio, Patras, GR-26504, Greece

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: Investigating the health status of agricultural workers is a challenging goal. Contradictory outcomes concerning farmers’ health are reported in the literature. In this cross-sectional study, certain clinical and neurobehavioral health outcomes were compared between farmers and non-farmers living in the same rural area. Farmers (328) and non-farmers (347), matched per age and sex, were selected randomly in an agricultural area in West Greece. Both groups underwent haematological and biochemical examinations and were administered two neurobehavioral tests, namely the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Sociodemographic, personal medical, nutritional and lifestyle data were recorded. According to personal statements, farmers suffered from hypertension, cardiovascular, orthopaedic and ENT problems in higher frequency. Haematocrit, haemoglobin and serum cholinesterase’s activity were found to be lower among farmers. Lower prevalence of hypertension and better performances on MMSE and MADRS tests were recorded in young farmers in relation to young non-farmers, while these findings were reversed in older ages. Odds Ratios were calculated through multivariate logistic regression models. Factors affecting these impairments remain to be clarified.

Keywords: farming; health impairments; haematological and biochemical alterations; neurobehavioral tests; hypertension (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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