A pilot study of symptoms of neurotoxicity and injury among adolescent farmworkers in Starr County, Texas
Whitworth, Kristina W. ; Shipp, Eva M. ; Cooper, Sharon P. ; Del Junco, Deborah J.
International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
2010
16
2
138-144
agricultural sector ; child labour ; neurotoxic effects ; pesticides ; young worker
Young people and child labour
English
Bibliogr.
"Background: Little is known regarding the relationship between neurotoxicity symptoms and injury, particularly among adolescent farmworkers.Methods: This pilot study utilized logistic regression to analyze injury prevalence in relation to self-reported symptoms of neurotoxicity among adolescent farmworkers along the Texas-Mexico border. Results: Respondents reporting at least five symptoms had 8.75 (95%CI=1.89, 40.54) times the prevalence of injury compared with those reporting zero or one symptom. Significant associations were observed for six items: trouble remembering things (prevalence odds ratio (POR)=5.56, 95%CI=1.60, 19.30), family noticing memory loss (POR=4.43, 95%CI=1.24, 15.79), making notes (POR=4.69, 96%CI=1.40, 15.68), irritated for no reason (POR=5.56, 95% CI=1.60, 19.30, heart pounding (POR=4.43, 95%CI=1.13, 17.40) and tingling (POR=12.44, 95%CI=2.82, 55.02). Conclusions: This pilot study suggests a relationship between symptoms of neurotoxicity and injury among adolescent farmworkers, supporting the need for more rigorous investigations."
Paper
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