Socio-Hygienic Factors Of Health Risk Of Agricultural Workers

Abstract

The aim of the work is to assess the influence of social and hygienic factors on the formation of the health of agricultural workers on the basis of their subjective perception and the results of sanitary and hygienic and epidemiological studies. Comprehensive sociological, hygienic and epidemiological studies have been carried out on the example of the most widespread and demanded professional group in the agricultural sector - tractor drivers-machinists of agricultural production (agricultural machine operators). The most significant factors contributing to the development of risk-associated health disorders are unfavourable working conditions: microclimatic discomfort, noise, general and local vibration, air pollution with dust and chemicals, etc. Most of the respondents (64.8%) associated health deterioration with exposure to production factors, which, in their opinion, are the main cause of the development of chronic somatic and occupational diseases. A close correlation (r = 0.91) was revealed between the subjective assessment of the state of health and the opinion of the respondents that it worsened in connection with work. In the nosological structure of occupational morbidity, the first place was occupied by vibration disease (36.7%), the second - radiculopathy (28.5%), the third - sensorineural hearing loss (24.6%), the fourth - mono- and polyneuropathies of the upper and lower extremities (7,2%). The health status of the rural population is also influenced by social and behavioural factors. Research results indicate the need to implement measures to manage social and occupational health risks.