Assessment of health needs of black agricultural workers in the Mid-Delta of Mississippi, U.S.A.

Abstract

THE REPORT described in this paper aimed at defining the health needs and identifying some of the medical and social problems of a group of agricultural workers residing in the Mid-Delta of Mis sissippi, U.S.A. One hundred and seventy (170) black households were randomly selected and the heads of such households were interviewed by means of ques tionnaire. The findings with regard to housing facilities and practices in the houses showed that good ventila tion was lacking in many homes, indoor pollution existed in more than half of the houses and the occupants concept of environmental hygiene in relation to health and disease was poor. Fifty one per cent of the men interviewed did not associate indiscriminate de faecation or improper sewage disposal with any health hazard. The respondents' knowledge of health hazards associated with pesticides is very poor especially with regard to the disposal of pesticide containers. 56.8 per cent of the men did not associate indiscriminate or improper disposal of pesticides containers with any health hazard, 13.5 per cent claimed there were health hazards whilst the remaining 29.7 per cent did not know. In conclusion, this study has revealed some of the needs of agricultural workers in Leflore county. These include good housing conditions, improved health care delivery system and better knowledge of the harmful effects on health of some respondents' habits and practices. Such goals can only be attained through health education, better medical coverage and involve ment of the community in health care delivery at the local level.