Citation

Salazar MK, Napolitano M, Scherer JA, McCauley LA. West. J. Nurs. Res. 2004; 26(2): 146-66; discussion 167-75.

Affiliation

Occupational Health Nursing Program, School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0193945903259579

PMID

15005979

Abstract

The migrant farmworker population in the United States is a vulnerable and understudied population whose characteristics are constantly shifting. The number of youth involved in agriculture work is increasing, and they, in particular, may be at increased risk for occupational hazards, such as pesticide exposure. The present study utilized an ecological framework for focus group discussions with 33 adolescent migrant farmworkers in Oregon. Adolescents' risk perception and health beliefs associated with pesticide exposure are examined on four levels of environmental influence: microenvironment, organizational environment, social/community environment, and macroenvironment. Adolescents provided insight on such topics as perceived vulnerability of illness due to pesticide exposure, attitudes toward farmwork, influence of their boss, knowledge of occupational hazards, safety training, and barriers to occupational choice. Cultural influences on occupational safety and health are discussed and increased attention to safety training is recommended.

Language: en