Hearing Difficulties Among Farmworkers in the México-US Southwest Border Region.

Exposure assessment Farmer Hearing loss prevention Hearing protection Noise Occupational health

Journal

Journal of immigrant and minority health
ISSN: 1557-1920
Titre abrégé: J Immigr Minor Health
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101256527

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
22 Apr 2024
Historique:
accepted: 09 03 2024
medline: 22 4 2024
pubmed: 22 4 2024
entrez: 22 4 2024
Statut: aheadofprint

Résumé

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are a vulnerable population with a potentially high risk for hearing loss due to farm-related noise exposures. Occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is permanent, and it is associated with an increased risk for injuries on the job, as well as communication difficulties, isolation, and depression. The México/US border region is one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country, however, no known studies have explored hearing loss among farmworkers in this area. This pilot study was a first step toward measuring and addressing hearing loss and noise exposure among this region's farmworkers. We conducted a cross-sectional survey to estimate the prevalence of subjective hearing difficulties among Yuma County, Arizona farmworkers. Survey interviews took place during a late-night farmworker health fair from 2 am to 6 am to accommodate local farms' labor schedules. Multivariable regression adjusted for demographic and work covariates estimated subjective hearing loss prevalence ratios. Among 132 farmworker participants, 36% reported they have or might have hearing loss, and 62% reported no hearing loss. Subjective hearing loss prevalence was lower in farmworkers who report not working in noise compared to prevalence in farmworkers who work in noise [prevalence ratio, 0.44 (95% CI 0.23-0.82)]. This report contributes to understanding the perception of hearing-related health and occupational exposures among farmworkers in the México-US Southwest border region. The information from this line of research will inform appropriate safety measures known to lower the risk of experiencing occupational NIHL.

Identifiants

pubmed: 38647631
doi: 10.1007/s10903-024-01592-8
pii: 10.1007/s10903-024-01592-8
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Informations de copyright

© 2024. The Author(s).

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Auteurs

Laura Coco (L)

School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA. lcoco@sdsu.edu.

Gabriela D Sanchez (GD)

School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.

Gabriel A Campuzano (GA)

School of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.

Annie J Keeney (AJ)

School of Social Work, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.

James K Romine (JK)

School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.

Classifications MeSH