Abstract
BackgroundThis study used surveillance data from 2018 and 2020 to test the stability of work-related strain symptoms (high stress, sleep deprivation, exhaustion) with demographic factors, work characteristics, and musculoskeletal symptoms among farm and ranch operators in seven midwestern states of the United States.MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted among farm and ranch operators in 2018 (n = 4423) and 2020 (n = 3492). Operators were asked whether, in the past 12 months, they experienced extended work periods that resulted in high stress levels, sleep deprivation, exhaustion/fatigue, or other work-related strain symptoms. Covariates included personal and demographic factors, work characteristics, number of injuries, work-related health conditions, and exposures on the operation. Summary statistics were tabulated for explanatory and outcome variables. The classification (decision) tree approach was used to assess what variables would best separate operators with and without reported strain symptoms, based on a set of explanatory variables. Regularized regression was used to generate effect estimates between the work strain variables and explanatory variables.ResultsHigh stress level, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion were reported more frequently in 2018 than 2020. The classification tree reproduced the 2018 model using 2020 data with approximately 80% accuracy. The mean number of reported MSD symptoms increased slightly from 1.23 in 2018 to 1.41 in 2020. Older age, more time spent in farm work, higher gross farm income (GFI), and MSD symptoms in six body regions (ankles/feet, knees, lower back, neck, shoulders, wrists/hands) were associated with all three work strain symptoms.ConclusionsMusculoskeletal pain and discomfort was a strong predictor for stress, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion among farmers and ranchers. This finding indicates that reducing MSD pain and discomfort is beneficial for both physical and mental health.
Highlights
This study used surveillance data from 2018 and 2020 to test the stability of work-related strain symptoms with demographic factors, work characteristics, and musculoskeletal symptoms among farm and ranch operators in seven midwestern states of the United States
Using two years of cross-sectional surveillance data, this study aimed to describe demographic and workrelated factors associated with self-reported high levels of stress, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion among farm and ranch operators in seven states in the Midwest
gross farm income (GFI) was significantly lower in the 2020 sample compared to the 2018 sample
Summary
This study used surveillance data from 2018 and 2020 to test the stability of work-related strain symptoms (high stress, sleep deprivation, exhaustion) with demographic factors, work characteristics, and musculoskeletal symptoms among farm and ranch operators in seven midwestern states of the United States. Stress is the response to a perceived conflict between work demands and a person’s expectations, resources, and capacities [1]. There are no assessment scales that target occupational stress in farm and ranch operators. The most frequently used scale with well-established psychometric properties is the Perceived Stress Scale [5], which covers psychosocial stress. If a valid and reliable occupational stress scale were designed, it would most likely not transfer to agricultural operators due to their disparate work environment
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