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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Sequential cholinesterase tests and symptoms for monitoring organophosphate absorption in field workers and in persons exposed to pesticide spray drift.

Pre-season, in-season and post-season cholinesterase (ChE) levels (Ellman method) were monitored in 36 field workers (sprayers, field hands, leaf inspectors) from 3 kibbutzim and 25 residents from the same kibbutzim. Small and presumably inconsequential in-season reductions in plasma and whole blood ChE activity were seen in field workers and residents exposed to spray drift, but not in non-exposed residents. Intra- and inter-individual variability in plasma and whole blood ChE activities were within 'normal' ranges (e.g., less than 30% inhibition), but the variability (intra- and inter-individual) was greater in the field workers compared with residents. Daily logs from the infirmary of one kibbutz for 1 month recorded an excess of complaints (respiratory tract, eye irritation, headache) in residents on days when organophosphates were sprayed from aircraft compared to days when other or no pesticides were sprayed. The findings provide some indications of the utility and the level of sensitivity of plasma ChE for monitoring field workers, and possibly residents exposed to drift. Selective semi-routine examinations of alkylphosphates in urine together with the assessment of health effects are recommended to determine whether or not ChE monitoring is needed on a routine basis, or should be replaced by alkylphosphate monitoring.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Experiences and voices of eugenics field-workers: 'women's work' in biology.

Experiences and ideas of eugenic 'field-workers' offer a new historical perspective on American eugenics, while highlighting terms of women's early twentieth-century scientific education and research employment. To advance knowledge of heredity, the US Eugenics Record Office (ERO), between 1910 and 1924, trained 258 students (85% of them women) to collect information about individuals, families and communities. Though some historians have dismissed eugenic field-workers as careless or uncritical, many had scientific or medical backgrounds, and took research seriously. While gendered expectations and other obstacles limited women's hopes for professional advance, the female field-workers created a strong community and culture of their own. Comparing notes, some recognized that their results did not support eugenic assumptions, and cautioned against letting enthusiasm overwhelm scientific integrity. These women field-workers raised serious questions about methodology and ethics, but the situation of eugenics work at the time undermined chances for such criticism to be acknowledged. After World War I, military-related research and political manoeuvring dominated eugenics, further marginalizing field-workers. Ironically, while ERO head Charles Davenport had wanted students to promote eugenics, some demonstrated more fundamental commitment to scientific ideals--but to little avail.

Eugenics↗
PubMed1996

Field-workers' sense of coherence and perception of risk when making home visits.

This study explored the relationship between the strength of the sense of coherence (SOC) and perceptions of different aspects of risks perceived by field-workers making home visits for Medicare-certified home care agencies. SOC is the disposition that individuals have toward stimuli. Field-workers with a strong SOC identified fewer risk encounters, attributed a lower level of risk to characteristics of home visits that have the potential for injury, and evaluated fewer situations as having the potential to be threatening than their weak SOC counterparts. Strong SOC field-workers were prepared to use behaviors similar to those of their weak SOC counterparts to protect themselves from harm should a situation become threatening. Knowledge of the strength of the SOC of field-workers can be helpful in the screening, selection, and orientation of potential field-workers as well as in designing programs to enhance the safety of home health care agency staff.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Perception of risk by home health care administrators and field workers.

The home health care industry has grown significantly over the past 15 years, primarily as the result of an increasing percentage of elderly needing services. Although personal risk has always been a contextual factor of home visiting, an additional challenge facing home health care administrators today is ensuring field worker safety, because visits are now made 24 hr a day, 7 days a week. The purpose of this study was to compare home health care administrators' with field workers' perceptions of risk involved in making home visits. The Home Health Care Perception of Risk Questionnaire (HHCPRQ), a self-report measure, was administered to a national random sample of 93 home health care administrators and 705 field workers to determine perception of risk within the context of making home visits. Findings indicate significant differences between home health care administrators' and field workers' perceptions of risk in making home visits. Suggestions for enhancing communication among all agency personnel and developing in-service education programs that are specifically for field workers are identified.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1994

Aerobic capacity of the brick-field workers in eastern India.

Forty two male brick-field workers of two age groups, viz. 20-29 and 30-39 yrs were studied with a view to determine their aerobic capacity (VO2 max). The average values of VO2 max in l.min-1 showed only small change between the young and the aged groups, but the values of the VO2 max in ml.kg.-1min-1 showed significant difference between the groups due to body weight increase in the aged group. The aerobic capacity of the workers engaged in heavy manual work such as puddlers and load carriers were found to be comparatively higher and a positive significant relationship has been established between the aerobic capacity and different occupations in the brick-field workers.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Helping managers to manage: work schedules of field-workers in rural Bangladesh.

The Maternal-Child Health/Family Planning (MCH/FP) Extension Project in Bangladesh identifies and examines barriers to implementation of the national MCH/FP program, and determines strategies to overcome them. This study analyzes field-workers' ability to carry out more tasks than they do presently, and how their performance might be improved when additional field-workers are hired. In two experimental subdistricts, researchers observed the work of family welfare assistants (FWAs), the female family planning field-workers, to determine the duration and frequency of their home visits with village women and the content of their exchanges. While many factors influence the FWA's work, researchers found that the preplanned monthly work schedules could be manipulated relatively easily to improve duration and frequency of program contact with village women. With more time available to spend with women, the potential to improve the quality of services is enhanced.

Bangladesh↗
PubMed1977

Physiological response to organophosphate residues in field workers.

The physiologic response of 21 male agricultural field workers exposed to foliage-borne Guthion residues was monitored during routine peach-thinning operations in a northern California orchard. Surveillance included daily venipuncture and urine collection to determine whole blood cholinesterase (CHE) activity and level of dialkylphosphate excretion for 3 baseline (nonexposed) and 5 normal work days. Foliage samples were obtained to measure dislodgeable and total Guthion residues. A decrease in group-mean CHE activity by 15% over the surveillance period was found. Apart from one worker who showed a consistent decrease in CHE activity, reaching a maximum of 30% below baseline at the end of the work week, daily changes in individual CHE activity were erratic. Group-mean dialkylphosphate excretion levels provided a semiquantitative indication of exposure to Guthion. Medical examination before and after the exposure period revealed an absence of clinical signs of organophosphate intoxication.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Verbal judgments of Taiwanese family planning field workers about induced abortion.

Four hundred female governmental family planning field workers in Taiwan were asked by questionnaire whether women should or should not have an induced abortion under certain circumstances. Major findings were that although most workers were favorable to induced abortion under most circumstances, many were unfavorable when marital status, parity, and contraceptive usage of the woman were considered. Furthermore, cumulative judgment scales were shown to exist which have important implications for program approaches elsewhere.

Abortion, Induced↗
PubMed1991

Training field workers to observe hygiene-related behaviour.

A study is reported from Nigeria on the training of field workers in the making of structured observations on hygiene-related behaviour with a view to improving the control of diarrhoeal diseases. The programme led to a high degree of consistency in the perception and description of such behaviour by the participants.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Clastogenic effect of pesticides in peripheral lymphocytes of cotton-field workers.

We studied clastogenic effects in peripheral lymphocytes of cotton-field workers who were exposed to different pesticides. All the cells were grown in RPMI 1640 medium for 48 and 72 h. The type of aberrations observed in the exposed group are gaps, breaks, dicentrics, exchanges, rings and polyploidy. The frequency of total chromosomal aberrations increased significantly in male pesticide applicators when compared to controls. A significant decrease in mitotic index was observed in the exposed group as compared to the control group. The 48-h cultures showed high incidence of chromosomal aberrations and low mitotic index when compared to 72-h cultures. The difference in chromosomal aberrations between 48- and 72-h cultures was not significant. 24 out of 26 individuals showed ill health effects such as severe giddiness and nervous disorders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Acquired perforating disease in oil field workers.

Eight cases of an acquired perforating disease are reported in oil field workers who were exposed to drilling fluid. Analysis of the drilling fluid showed it to contain many components, including calcium chloride. Histopathologic study of patient lesions demonstrated transepidermal elimination of calcium. An in vivo mouse model was developed to study this phenomenon, which may represent a calcium-mediated perforating disorder.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Field worker exposure to selected insecticides applied to corn via center-pivot irrigation.

Field workers were monitored for dermal and respiratory exposure to chlorpyrifos (with and without crop oil), carbaryl, and permethrin at reentry intervals of 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 h after application. Insecticides were applied to R3 stage corn through an overhead center-pivot irrigation system. Dermal exposure was measured by analyzing 18 gauze pads attached to the clothing of workers to represent human body regions. Hand exposure was determined using cotton gloves. Respiratory exposure was determined using portable air samplers equipped with polyurethane foam plugs to trap ambient insecticide residues. Gas liquid chromatography was used to quantify residues of chlorpyrifos and permethrin in gauze pads, gloves, and foam plugs. Carbaryl residues in pads, gloves, and foam plugs were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Highest dermal and respiratory exposures were found at the 2-h reentry interval. Exposures decreased as reentry interval increased. Dermal exposure was primarily confined to the hands. Residues detected by air samplers ranged from 0 to 0.03 micrograms/liter. Based on the estimated percentages of acute toxic dose (all less than 0.00038%), the risk of acute toxicity to workers at the intervals studied was low.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1984

Fungi from otitis media of agricultural field workers.

Twenty four fungi were isolated from ear wax or otitis media of agricultural field workers, of which 18 are being reported for the first time from India. Direct observation, revealed the presence of hyphal fragments, spores of Alternaria, Bipolaris, conidial head of Aspergillus, smut teliospores and pollen. Spores of only four fungi, Alternaria humicola, Aspergillus niveus, Bipolaris spicifera and Fusarium moniliforme germinated in otitis media at 37 degrees C, and their germination was affected by relative humidity. Alternaria humicola and Aspergillus niveus appeared to be the causative agents of otomycosis, and otitis media is fungistatic in nature.

Agricultural Workers' Diseases↗
PubMed1985

The effect of oral contraceptive formulation and field-workers: a cautionary tale.

This paper examines oral contraceptive continuation rates and reported side effects in a large scale clinical research project conducted in Sri Lanka. The project evaluated standard- and low-dose pills used with and without vitamin supplements. Differences in continuation rates and perception of side effects are used to illustrate the impact that family planning field-workers can have on women's use of oral contraceptives.

Attitude↗
PubMed1993

Onchocerciasis in field workers at Baya Farm, Teppi Coffee Plantation Project, southwestern Ethiopia: prevalence and impact on productivity.

A survey of onchocerciasis in male field workers was conducted in Baya Farm, Teppi Coffee Plantation Project, southwestern Ethiopia, in order to determine the prevalence rate of onchocerciasis in that population and to measure the effect of the disease on work productivity. A total of 196 study subjects were examined both clinically and parasitologically. Parasitological diagnosis was based on bilateral skin biopsies from the calf, buttock, and scapula. It was found that the prevalence rate of onchocerciasis (82.7%) and the intensity of infection were very high. No study subject had any detectable visual impairment, and other chronic manifestations were few. Based on a twelve month retrospective review of labour cards, workers with onchocerciasis were significantly more likely to be absent from work due to illness and other reasons, and earned significantly less wages, than workers without onchocerciasis, thus suggesting that non-blinding onchocerciasis has a negative impact on work productivity.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Cytogenetic alterations in field workers routinely exposed to pesticides in Bogota flowers farms].

Frequency of cytogenetic alterations (micronuclei and chromosome aberrations), DNA repair deficiencies and acetylcholinesterase activity was determined for field workers in Bogotá, Colombia. These workers were regularly exposed to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides while employed on farms for flower growing. Interviews were conducted with 31 workers associated with occupational risk of pesticides exposure and 30 without exposure. A standard cytogenetic assay was used to determine chromosome aberrations and micronuclei frequencies. In addition, a challenge assay assessed response to gamma-rays as an indication of DNA repair deficiencies--cells were exposed to gamma-rays in vitro and the frequencies of chromosome aberrations in post-irradiation metaphase cells were quantified. The data were evaluated for percentage of aberrant cells, cells with chromosome aberrations and frequencies of chromatid breaks per 100 metaphase cells in each worker. The exposed group had a significantly higher frequency of cells with chromosome aberrations and micronuclei as compared with the non-exposed group (p = 0.02). However, the challenge assay did not indicate a significant difference (p > 0.1). These findings require confirmation by further analytical studies involving larger sample. Cytogenetic and toxicological studies, in conjunction with thorough clinical examination are recommended.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1998

Violence and threats of violence experienced by public health field-workers.

CONTEXT: Public health workers may work with clients whose behaviors are risks for both infectious disease and violence. OBJECTIVE: To assess frequency of violent threats and incidents experienced by public health workers and risk factors associated with incidents. DESIGN: Anonymous, self-administered questionnaires. SETTING: Texas sexually transmitted disease (STD), human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), and tuberculosis (TB) programs. PARTICIPANTS: Questionnaires were completed by 364 (95.5%) of 381 public health workers assigned to the programs. The STD program employed 131 workers (36%), the HIV/AIDS program, 121 workers (33%), and the TB program, 112 workers (31%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The frequencies with which workers had ever experienced (while on the job) verbal threats, weapon threats, physical attacks, and rape, and risk factors associated with those outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 139 (38%) of 364 workers reported 611 violent incidents. Verbal threats were reported by 136 workers (37%), weapon threats by 45 (12%), physical attacks by 14 (4%), and rape by 3 (1%). Five workers (1%) carried guns and/or knives while working. In multiple logistic regression, receipt of verbal threats was associated with worker's male sex (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-4.0), white ethnicity (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.4-4.1), experience of 5 years or longer (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.3-3.8), weekend work (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.1), and sexual remarks made to the worker by clients (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2-3.5). Receipt of weapon threats was associated with worker's male sex (OR, 5.7; 95% CI, 2.4-15.3), white ethnicity (OR, 4.0; 95% CI, 1.8-9.3), age of 40 years or older (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-5.8), work experience of 5 years or longer (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-6.0), rural work (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.3-10.1), being alone with the opposite sex (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.6-9.7), and interaction with homeless clients (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.7-18.8). Physical attacks were associated with sexual remarks made to the worker by clients (OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.4-13.9). No risk factors predicting rape were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Violence directed toward public field-workers is a common occupational hazard. An assessment of what situations, clients, and locations pose the risk of violence to public health workers is needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Methyl bromide intoxication in four field-workers during removal of soil fumigation sheets.

Methyl bromide is a highly toxic and penetrating compound used extensively as an insecticide for dry foodstuffs and as a soil fumigant (in greenhouses and fields) for the control of nematodes, fungi, and weeds. More than 300 cases of systemic poisoning and 60 fatalities attributable to methyl bromide have been reported [Alexeeff and Kilgore, 1983], resulting in substantial regulations concerning its handling, storage, application, and disposal. A recent exposure incident at a Connecticut nursery represents to our knowledge the first report of toxicity stemming from exposures in the field during removal of plastic sheets days after injection of methyl bromide into soil. Following removal of polyethylene sheets covering soil fumigated with methyl bromide, four field-workers developed fatigue and light-headedness and 3 workers noted progressive respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and neurologic symptoms. The acute systemic symptoms improved over several days, but later-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms persisted for several weeks. This incident stresses the need for improved worker education and strict adherence to safety precautions during all stages of methyl bromide fumigation and raises the possibility of an increased risk of toxicity associated with methyl bromide fumigation during a cool season.

Adult↗