OBJECTIVES:The John May Farm Safety Fund is a cost-sharing program designed to reduce farmers' barriers to implementing workplace safety solutions. The goal of this study is to understand participants' motivators for enrolling in the Program, as well as the primary and secondary benefits they enjoyed as a result. METHODS:Qualitative content analysis was used to review narrative components of 50 participant records, including applications, farm safety consultations, and follow-up customer satisfaction surveys. RESULTS:Findings of this study demonstrate that farmers cited the wellbeing of humans and animals as a primary motivator for enrolling. Additionally, farm transitions and aging equipment played a considerable role in the need to improve safety systems. In addition to increasing safety, improved efficiency and productivity were documented as important benefits of engaging in this Program. CONCLUSIONS:This preliminary evaluation of the John May Farm Safety Fund demonstrates its' importance to the farm community, in terms of safety, productivity, and long-term sustainability of farms. Findings suggest that expansion of the John May Farm Safety Fund would be a valuable endeavor.
BACKGROUND:This study analyzed the incidence of skin cancer among rural workers in Brazil, considering the influence of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, skin color, and regional factors. METHODS:Data from the National Cancer Institute (2008-2022) on skin cancer were used, using historical series of the Ultraviolet Index (UVI) obtained via satellite and cross-referenced with population information obtained from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. RESULTS:Between 2008 and 2022, Brazil recorded 81,378 cases of skin cancer related to rural workers, with an average incidence rate of 318.23 cases per 100,000. The UVI is high in the North and North-East regions of the country, but the highest rate of skin cancer occurs in the South, where 73% of the population is white and the UVI is lower. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that the UVI, the proportion of white people, and the percentage of rural workers significantly influence the skin cancer rate. CONCLUSIONS:These results show that approximately 28% of a rural worker's risk of developing skin cancer may be related to the interaction between biological and environmental factors and that prevention and sun protection strategies should take into account demographic and regional variability.
Agricultural injuries remain a significant public health concern, emphasizing the critical need for effective surveillance systems and accessible data dissemination tools. Traditional databases and reporting systems often present barriers to ease of access, usability, and timely interpretation of injury data for various stakeholders. The objective of this study was to design and establish a dashboard for storing agricultural injury data sourced from AgInjuryNews.org. The dashboard design was guided by Mazza's five essential criteria, including functionality, effectiveness, efficiency, usability, and usefulness. This design followed user-centered design principles and a narrative dashboard design approach, offering guided instructions and enabling higher levels of user interaction. Two tailored modes were developed: a Researchers' Mode, offering agricultural injuries coded by the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System (OIICS); an Educators' Mode, providing injury patterns on a regional level. A comparative evaluation was conducted between the Researchers' Mode, Educators' Mode and the existing AgInjuryNews.org website to assess their effectiveness in solving real-world agricultural injury surveillance questions.
OBJECTIVE:Tobacco farm workers have a high prevalence of acute nicotine poisoning, known as green tobacco sickness, caused by dermal exposure during leaf harvesting. Although urinary cotinine is the most reliable biomarker of nicotine exposure, methodological inconsistencies across studies hinder the identification of absorption patterns and limit comparability. This scoping review aimed to summarize methods used to assess urinary cotinine, identify individual and occupational factors influencing its measurement, and examine temporal patterns of urinary cotinine levels. METHODS:The review followed JBI guidance and was reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR. It was structured using the PCC framework: Population - tobacco farm workers aged ≥ 13 years; Concept - dermal nicotine exposure indexed by urinary cotinine; Context - harvesting. Searches were conducted in MEDLINE (PubMed) and LILACS without date limits, including studies in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. RESULTS:Eleven cross-sectional, three case-control, and one intervention study met the inclusion criteria. Marked heterogeneity was found in laboratory methods (e.g. spectrophotometry, immunoassays, HPLC/GC-MS), measurement units, creatinine adjustment (rarely applied), sampling schedules, and reporting of humidity and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. In studies with repeated sampling, urinary cotinine generally peaked the day after harvesting began, clarifying the best time to carry out the urine collection. Associations of cotinine with sex, moisture, and PPE use were inconsistent. Compared with occupationally unexposed groups - both smokers and non-smokers - tobacco workers typically had higher urinary cotinine. Small, often non-representative samples and limited adjustment for confounding reduced comparability and precluded quantitative synthesis. CONCLUSIONS:Tobacco workers may experience nicotine exposures comparable to or exceeding those of heavy smokers. This underscores the need for research into the health effects of intense, cumulative (over successive harvesting days) and chronic exposure in this population. Future studies should adopt standardized protocols specifying urine collection on the day after exposure, creatinine adjustment, systematic assessment of humidity, PPE use, smoking status, and other determinants, alongside robust sampling strategies and adequate sample sizes. Such measures would strengthen occupational exposure assessment and support surveillance and prevention of nicotine-related illness among tobacco farm workers.
OBJECTIVE:Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain a major occupational health problem among the Thai workforce. Tractor operation enhances agricultural productivity but exposes workers to substantial ergonomic and physical risks, particularly vibration and sustained awkward postures. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine factors associated with MSDs among tractor-operating farmers in a subdistrict of Roi Et Province, Thailand. METHODS:The study was conducted among 133 tractor-operating farmers selected through proportional stratified random sampling. Data were collected using validated questionnaires assessing personal and work characteristics, Self-Ergonomics Risk Factor Assessment (SERFA), Musculoskeletal Disorders Severity and Frequency Questionnaire (MSFQ), and Subjective Workload Index (SWI). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, and adjusted odds ratios (ORadj) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported at p-value < .05. RESULTS:The prevalence of MSDs among participants was 62.40%, and the lower back was the most affected region of disorders (60.14%). Factors associated with MSDs included tractor-driving experience <10 years (ORadj = 3.14, 95%CI: 1.18-8.30), maximum engine speed ≥2000 rpm (ORadj = 4.68, 95%CI: 1.48-14.73), years of tractor use ≥5 years (ORadj = 9.20, 95%CI: 2.67-31.69), high SWI (≥3) (ORadj = 3.56, 95%CI: 1.24-10.19), high SERFA risk level (ORadj = 5.14, 95%CI: 1.30-20.34), and perceived vibration exposure (ORadj = 3.01, 95%CI: 1.18-7.67). Frequent posture adjustment was inversely associated with MSDs (ORadj = 0.14, 95% CI: 0.04-0.49). CONCLUSION:In conclusion, tractor-driving characteristics, duration of tractor use, SWI, and postural ergonomics were associated with MSDs in this tractor-operating farmer group. Perceived vibration exposure may be an important factor associated with MSDs, suggesting that engine speed management and ergonomic improvement may be considered as potential occupational health strategies for tractor-operating farmers.
OBJECTIVE:This study assessed and compared pesticide use practices and safety behaviors among farmers in traditional and modern date palm groves in Errachidia Province, Morocco. METHODS:A stratified cross-sectional survey targeting active pesticide users was conducted between April 2022 and April 2023. Of 278 farmers initially screened, 166 active pesticide users completed the full questionnaire: 79 from traditional oases and all 87 from modern farms. RESULTS:Results showed widespread reliance on chemical pesticides in both systems (91.0% and 97.7%, respectively). Educational attainment was low, with over 90% of respondents having primary education or less, and illiteracy rates of 42.3% (traditional) and 34.1% (modern). Formal pesticide training was nearly absent (0% and 5.75%). Most respondents did not read or follow pesticide labels (95.6% and 90.8%), and product selection relied mainly on peers in traditional systems (73.0%) and sellers in modern farms (73.6%). Personal protective equipment use was insufficient in both groups: gloves were used by 51.4% and 72.4%, oro-nasal masks by 42.1% and 58.0%, and immediate post-application showering was reported by only 5.7% and 7.0% of respondents, respectively. Improper container disposal was common in both systems (>60% discarding on or near farms). These findings suggest that pesticide misuse is not confined to traditional systems but also occurs in modern date palm farms, potentially through different decision-making pathways. CONCLUSION:Although modern farms showed higher rates of PPE use and more preventive treatment approaches, these differences did not correspond to comprehensively safer practices overall. The results highlight the need for system-specific, context-adapted interventions to improve pesticide safety in Moroccan oasis agriculture.
Farmers in India encounter numerous stressors in their daily lives, which may contribute to heightened psychological distress and mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and stress. The coping strategies they employ play an important role in influencing these mental health outcomes. This study aimed to assess the relationship between coping strategies and mental health among farmers in Central India. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and March 2025 among 176 farmers from four districts of Madhya Pradesh. Participants completed a survey in the local language that included a demographic sheet, the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the Coping Strategies Inventory-Short Form (CSI-SF). The findings showed that 23.3% of participants experienced some level of depression, 23.3% reported anxiety, and 20.5% reported stress. Significant positive correlations were observed between disengagement coping strategies and depression (r = .205, p = .006), anxiety (r = .305, p < .001), and stress (r = .200, p = .008). Regression analysis further demonstrated that disengagement coping was a significant predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress, although it explained only a small proportion of the variance in these outcomes (R2 = 0.059, 0.053, and 0.049, respectively). Overall, the findings suggest that many farmers in this sample demonstrated adaptive coping patterns and low levels of severe psychological distress. However, disengagement coping behaviors were consistently associated with poorer mental health outcomes, highlighting the importance of integrating mental health promotion and adaptive coping interventions into existing agricultural and social welfare programs.
OBJECTIVE:Quality of life (QoL) is an individual's perception of life quality based on cultural values, goals, and standards in physical, psychological, social, and environmental aspects. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between demographic characteristics, health information factors, and the QoL of durian farmworkers. Additionally, proposed implementation strategies were developed based on factors associated with the QoL. METHODS:This cross-sectional study was designed to assess the QoL of 160 durian farmworkers in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and a face-to-face interview was conducted using a structural questionnaire that collected general demographic characteristics and health information. The validated, Thai-translated World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) tool was used to collect data on the QoL. The multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with the QoL. The finding factors were used to propose implementation strategies aligned with the RE-AIM principles (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance). RESULTS:The majority (83.1%) of durian farmworkers reported a good QoL, with an overall mean score of 106.9 (range: 80-130). Domain-specific scores of physical health 27.1 (range: 20-34), mental health 25.3 (range: 16-30), social relationships 12.8 (range: 8-15), and environment 31.8 (range: 16-40) were within the good level. The results showed that stress, age, marital status, and annual income were significantly associated with the QoL (p < .05). Based on four key factors, proposed implementation strategies were developed, including expected outcome, activities, lead person, timelines, resources, and the evaluation method for RE-AIM alignment. CONCLUSION:The study highlights age, marital status, annual income, and stress as key factors influencing the QoL of durian farmworkers. The proposed implementation strategies, may help inform health promotion and community-based initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of durian farmworkers and potentially similar fruit cultivation systems.
OBJECTIVES:Greenhouse pruning involves repetitive hand movements, sustained grip force, and prolonged exposure to heat, placing farmers at risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. This study examined the effects of individual, work-related, and environmental factors on hand grip strength (HGS) among greenhouse farmers during pruning tasks. METHODS:A field-based repeated-measures study was conducted among 100 greenhouse farmers performing tomato-pruning activities under real-time greenhouse conditions. HGS was measured six times daily over a 15-day pruning period using a digital hand dynamometer for both hands. Anthropometric variables, pruning tool type, and environmental temperature were recorded. Hierarchical linear mixed-effects modelling was performed to account for within-subject variability across repeated work phases and working days. RESULTS:Mean HGS was 32.55 ± 5.41 kg for the dominant hand and 28.24 ± 5.05 kg for the non-dominant hand. Dominant hand usage, gender, and forearm-to-hand length were the strongest predictors of HGS. HGS progressively declined across work phases, with an overall reduction of approximately 7.6% from morning to evening work periods. Male participants demonstrated consistently greater HGS values than female participants. HGS was significantly associated with anthropometric characteristics. Indoor greenhouse temperature demonstrated a weak negative but statistically non-significant association with HGS. CONCLUSION:Repetitive greenhouse pruning tasks contribute to progressive reductions in HGS during prolonged work periods. Anthropometric characteristics and pruning tool design substantially influence grip performance during pruning activities. The findings support ergonomic interventions, including optimized tool design, task-specific training, and work-rest scheduling, to reduce cumulative upper-extremity loading and improve occupational health among greenhouse farmers.
BACKGROUND:Brucellosis is one of the most important zoonoses threatening both human and animal health worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Algeria is among the most affected countries, particularly in the Steppic region, according to recent estimates. METHODS:This study was conducted to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice in one of the most affected areas in this region, the department of Djelfa. A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between March 22, 2024, and May 22, 2024. RESULTS:Results showed that of the 664 participants who consented and completed the questionnaire, 639 (96.2%) reported having heard of brucellosis mainly through an infection of a friend or family member (33.23%) or through discussion (33.02%). Among these respondents, 58.4% demonstrated a high level of knowledge (p < .0001), while 59.47% exhibited a positive attitude (p < .0001), and 51.64% of the 122 livestock owners reported good practices (p > .05). Notably, 77.31% of the participants reported consuming unpasteurized milk. In addition, direct or indirect experience with brucellosis increases the odds of adopting good practices (OR: 3.63, 95% CI: 1.72-7.67, p < .001); whereas, male sex decreases the odds (aOR: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.06-0.39, p < .0001). Age also played a significant role, with individuals aged 41-50 years (aOR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.13-5.01, p = .0219) and dog ownership (aOR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.02-2.72, p = .0403) being the only factors significantly associated with participants' knowledge and attitudes toward brucellosis, respectively. CONCLUSION:These findings indicate that although awareness of the disease is high, levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices remain moderate, which could be a barrier to efficiently prevent and control brucellosis spread. This highlights the need for targeted education and interventions to improve our understanding of the disease and to address high-risk behaviors that contribute to its transmission in the region.
OBJECTIVE:This study aimed to explore farmers' perspectives on: 1) the meaning of chronic pain, 2) its impact, 3) their preferences for chronic pain management in the future, and 4) views on specific evidence-based chronic pain management strategies. METHODS:In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with Australian farmers with a history of chronic pain within the last 12 months. A positivist, descriptive approach to Thematic Analysis was employed for data analysis. RESULTS:Sixteen Australian farmers, aged 36-75 years, participated. Five themes and 11 sub-themes were identified: 1) pain is a normal part of life that we need to push through over the long term, but we do not talk about pain. It also means we need to learn to do things differently. We understand that there is no quick fix, so need long-term solutions. 2) Pain negatively affects my life and makes it hard to do what I want to do. It affects my mental health, ability to make decisions and relationships and costs me time and money. 3) We need access to clear, concise, and farmer-friendly pain education and support. We value advice and support from our peers. How we want pain education delivered depends on our age. Minimising travel and time investment makes it easier for us to engage with pain education. 4) We like to be able to self-manage pain and can be reluctant to seek professional help. Over-the-counter pain medications are often the first point of call for pain management. We prefer not to see a general practitioner (GP) or surgeon unless there is no other choice. We are open to psychological therapies as a strategy to improve pain, but initially find it difficult to understand their relevance to pain management. 5) Generally open to physiotherapy, chiropractic methods, pain education and tailored exercise programmes, but mixed views on needling and alternative approaches. CONCLUSION:Farmers perceive pain as a normal part of their lives. However, it adversely impacts their physical wellbeing, mental health, livelihoods and quality of life. Tailored, farmer-focused, evidence-based approaches to pain education and management are needed to better support this at-risk group.
BACKGROUND:Agriculture is an essential yet hazardous industry with frequent injuries and a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Despite this, the ergonomic design of agricultural tools remains insufficient, and previous studies have mainly focused on large-scale machinery rather than manual tools. METHODS:This study reviews research on agricultural tools from ergonomic and safety perspectives to identify research directions and trends. Relevant records were identified using keywords related to agriculture, tools, ergonomics, and safety and screened following the PRISMA process, resulting in 96 final materials included in the review. The selected studies were categorized into three groups based on research topics, and research focuses were classified and analyzed by period, country, and target (tool or machinery). RESULTS:The findings indicate persistent gaps in user-centered ergonomic design. Moreover, differences in focus between manual tool and machinery research suggest that research priorities vary depending on target. CONCLUSION:Understanding these differences provides useful insight for establishing design strategies and setting directions for ergonomic research in agriculture. The findings also highlight the need for standardized evaluation protocols to support safe and ergonomic agricultural tool design and assessment.
INTRODUCTION:Recent outbreaks of infectious diseases on dairy farms, with workers becoming ill, have focused attention on the potential for zoonotic disease transmission of pathogens between animals and humans in dairy production. While many dairy farms have a biosecurity plan and protocols in place to reduce the possibility of cow-cow transmission of pathogens such as foot-and-mouth disease, previous surveys have indicated that few farms have organized ongoing infection‑prevention programs to prevent the spread of infection to workers. OBJECTIVE:The purpose of the current study is to describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding infection control and prevention by job tasks among dairy workers and to assess the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on infection prevention behaviors. Study findings can inform research aimed at implementing sustainable infection control and prevention strategies on dairy farms. METHODS:We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline survey data from an observational study of dairy workers that began in 2017, with enrollment continuing through 2022. We restricted the analysis to dairy workers who had worked on a dairy farm for at least 6 months and who spoke Spanish or English. Bilingual study staff administered the questionnaires in Spanish or English based on the participants' preferred language. The survey questions included self-reported job tasks as well as reported use of preventive measures such as hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE) on dairy farms. We calculated proportions of reported behaviors for different job tasks such as milking or herd health. RESULTS:We found that a low level of concern about getting disease from animals or giving disease to animals was associated with lower odds of handwashing after glove use. Frequency of self-reported PPE use varied by task. Proportions of self-reported measures of handwashing were 20% or higher among participants whose data collection occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to participants whose data collection occurred before COVID-19. Conclusion: Efforts to increase infection prevention and control on dairy farms need to address workers' perceptions about the risk of pathogen transmission between workers and cows, since this appears to affect both PPE use and handwashing frequency.
OBJECTIVES:AgrAbility is a program that serves agricultural workers with disabilities. It aims to enhance quality of life and strengthen communities. Although AgrAbility can improve quality of life (QoL), there is limited evidence about influence on the different QoL domains. Three QoL profiles were identified that differed on psychological domains. This study extends the understanding of QoL profiles by comparing the QoL profiles across time points for those who did and did not receive AgrAbility services. Specifically, we explored how individuals' transition profiles change over time and relate that transition to independent living and working (ILW). METHODS:The sample was 459 farmers and ranchers with disabilities who completed the McGill Quality of Life (MQOL) survey at Time 1. Of those, 359 received AgrAbility services following their completion of the MQOL at Time 1. All individuals completed a follow-up QoL survey at Time 2, with an average of 18 months between assessment points. Latent profile analysis was employed to examine groupings of individuals on the variables of physical, psychological, existential, and social well-being. Profile transition analyses were conducted to explore profile change from Time 1 to Time 2. Descriptive analysis of profile membership and predictive models were used to compare the change in profiles for those receiving and not receiving services. Analyses were performed using Mplus version 8.11. RESULTS:Three QoL profiles were identified representing Low Existential/Social, High Existential/Social, and Moderate levels across QoL dimensions, replicating a previous study. Initial profile membership and transitions between profiles differed between those who did and did not receive services. Although QoL profiles were relatively stable across time, the AgrAbility involvement was related to transitioning to the more adaptive profile of High Existential/Social QoL. The AgrAbility group had lower ILW scores at Time 1, but did not differ from the group not receiving services at Time 2 showing improved ILW. CONCLUSIONS:Profile changes show benefits of receiving AgrAbility services for increasing QoL in the areas of existential and social domains. The knowledge gained by identifying these profile changes can improve our understanding of the outcomes of receiving AgrAbility services and could help with future targeted interventions.
OBJECTIVES:Raised bed vegetable cultivation is widely practiced after paddy in the foothill and valley areas of Meghalaya, Northeast India. Traditionally, raised beds are prepared manually using spades, a process that is not only laborious and time-consuming but also poses considerable ergonomic risks. To address these issues, a study was conducted to evaluate risk factors, and to design, develop, and test a ridging attachment for power tillers that could be effectively used in the narrow terraces and small fields typical of hill farming systems. METHODS:A case study was conducted in selected vegetable-growing areas of Meghalaya, Northeast India during the year 2023-2024. Field visits and observations documented current raised bed methods, while interviews and discussions with 64 farmers (40 male, 24 female) via semi-structured questionnaires identified existing tools, bed sizes, labor needs, and ergonomic issues in manual preparation. Ergonomic stress and strain were assessed using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), and heart rate monitoring. RESULTS:Survey findings revealed nearly 84% of respondents experienced physical discomfort, with lower back pain being reported by about 80% of them. Physiological workload assessment placed manual bed preparation in the "very heavy" category. REBA analysis further indicated postures adopted during the task scored between 8 and 10 (Action Level 3) for over 70% of participants, signifying a high-risk activity requiring urgent intervention. In response, a ridging attachment was developed, aligning agronomic requirements with ergonomic considerations. Performance evaluation demonstrated significant benefits: a field capacity of 0.103 ha/h (around 20 times higher than manual preparation), a 92% reduction in labor demand, and a 95% savings in time. Fuel use and draft forces remained within acceptable ranges. Economic analysis indicated about 76% reduction in costs, with a payback period of less than two crop cycles. CONCLUSIONS:Overall, the developed ridging attachment proved to be a cost-effective, farmer-friendly technology that not only minimizes drudgery but also enhances efficiency in raised bed vegetable cultivation. This innovation contributes to context-specific mechanization strategies and supports sustainable intensification of smallholder farming in the hill regions of Northeast India.
OBJECTIVE:Agricultural injuries are frequently underreported and understudied, despite their significant impact on the individuals and communities affected. Local news media often serve as one of the few public-facing sources of information about such incidents, typically reporting on who was involved, what occurred, where and when the event happened, and occasionally, why it took place. This study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze the demographic characteristicsand narrative themes found in media reports of agricultural injuries across seven Midwestern states. Using anthropological approaches and perspectives, the research explored how media portrayals of these incidents may shape public perceptions of agricultural risk and influence safety-related behaviors within ruralcommunities. METHODS:A database was developed using media reports of agricultural injuries collected by the Central States Center fo rAgricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH) and Ag Injury News. The dataset included 154 news articles published between 2017 and 2024, documenting 200 agricultural injuries. Demographic and narrative content were analyzed to address the following research questions: (1) What types of messaging are emphasized in media headlines? (2) What forms of support for victims are mentioned in the articles? and (3) How is injury prevention addressed within the narratives? RESULTS:Analysis revealed a high incidence of roadway-related injuries and identified injury trends disproportionately affecting older and male agricultural workers. Nearly one-third of the articles analyzed referred to incidents as "accidents," suggesting a potentially passive framing of preventable events. Prevention was mentioned in only 31.2% of articles; 24.7% referenced risky behaviors, while just 3.9% explicitly described prevention techniques. The data also offer insight into rural support systems, with references to financial or labor support, emotional support, and faith-based support. Furthermore, 63% of headlines conveyed no clear sentiment, and none of the reports included injuries involving immigrant workers. CONCLUSION:These findings support recommendations for journalists to enhance both the quality and frequency of prevention messaging and to avoid using the term "accident" when describing preventable incidents. Additionally, health and safety professionals can use these insights, particularly the influence of community, faith, and economics to inform the development of culturally appropriate prevention strategies and interventions.
OBJECTIVES:Agricultural entrepreneurs face significant occupational stressors, including long working hours, and blurred work-life boundaries. These factors contribute to an increased risk of burnout, yet little research has explored how recovery experiences - psychological detachment, relaxation, mastery, and control - impact their mental health. This study examines the role of recovery experiences in reducing burnout and assesses whether satisfaction with work-life balance mediates this relationship. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted using survey data from 916 agricultural entrepreneurs in France. Participants completed validated measures assessing recovery experiences, satisfaction with work-life balance, and burnout. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test direct and indirect associations between recovery dimensions and burnout, while accounting for control variables such as age, sex, relationship status, number of children, weekly working hours, and farm type. RESULTS:Findings indicate that recovery experiences play a crucial role in maintaining satisfaction with work-life balance and reducing burnout. Psychological detachment (β = 0.190, p < .001), relaxation (β = 0.254, p < .001), and control (β = 0.317, p < .001) were positively associated with satisfaction with work-life balance, supporting H1. Satisfaction with work-life balance was significantly related to lower burnout levels (β = -0.399, p < .001), supporting H2. Direct negative associations between relaxation (β = -0.153, p = .001) and control (β = -0.132, p = .001) with burnout were observed, supporting H3. Psychological detachment (β = -0.076, p < .001), relaxation (β = -0.101, p < .001), and control (β = -0.126, p < .001) had significant indirect effects on burnout through satisfaction with work-life balance, supporting H4. Mastery did not show significant associations with satisfaction with work-life balance or burnout. CONCLUSION:This study highlights the critical role of recovery experiences in mitigating burnout among agricultural entrepreneurs. While relaxation and control directly reduce burnout, psychological detachment primarily influences burnout through improved satisfaction with work-life balance. These findings suggest that targeted interventions, such as promoting structured recovery practices and satisfaction with work-life balance strategies, could enhance mental health in this high-risk population. Future research should explore longitudinal designs and cross-cultural comparisons to further understand recovery experiences among self-employed workers in agriculture.
OBJECTIVES:Toxicity color codes on pesticide containers communicate the risk between manufacturers and farmers; however, their effectiveness in developing countries, like Nepal, remains understudied. This study thus aimed to identify factors influencing farmers' understanding and their correct interpretation of the toxicity color codes. METHODS:Survey data from 270 households in Kavrepalanchok district, Nepal, was used, where respondents were primary pesticide applicators. Probit regression was run separately to identify the factors influencing (1) the understanding of the meaning of toxicity color codes for the whole sample and (2) correct interpretation of the least toxic color code as green for the sub-sample who responded "YES" to the first question. Finally, ordered probit regression identified factors influencing (3) toxicity color code literacy: illiteracy, partial literacy, or full literacy. RESULTS:Of the total respondents, only 49% stated they understood the meaning of toxicity color codes, yet only half of them correctly interpreted the least toxic color code as green. Farmers' understanding was significantly influenced by location, higher education, when males purchase pesticides, participation in integrated pest management-farmer's field school training, and prior experience of health effects associated with pesticide use (p < .05). All these factors also significantly influenced toxicity color code literacy. However, females (p = .023) and educated farmers (p = .005) correctly interpreted the least toxic color code as green, highlighting the need for inclusive education-based interventions in risk communication. CONCLUSION:The results show a distinction between self-reported farmers' understanding of toxicity color codes on pesticide containers and their correct interpretation. We suggest that risk communication interventions be redesigned to improve visual literacy and that gender-sensitive training be included to enhance literacy.
