Lunner Kolstrup, Christina and Ssali, Tonny K.
(2016).
Awareness and Need for Knowledge of Health and Safety among Dairy Farmers Interviewed in Uganda.
Frontiers in Public Health. 4
, 1-10
[Journal article]
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Abstract
Introduction: Safe working conditions are essential for healthy living and for ensuring food security among farmers and farm communities in developing countries. There is limited research on this topic, and documentation is essential to understand and change patterns of human health and safety. Methods: In May 2014, six male and female farmers on four dairy farms in Uganda and a female veterinarian were interviewed about their awareness and attitudes to agricultural risk factors, health, and safety. In addition, transect walks were conducted on the four dairy farms. Results: The dairy farmers reported health and safety concerns, e.g., diarrhea, coughs, fever, cuts while using machetes in plantations, bruises when handling animals, and dizziness and poisoning symptoms from using different agrochemicals, and considered these an occupational hazard. The most important topic mentioned was the use of agrochemicals and drugs on livestock. The farmers spray their animals with insecticides to prevent ticks, lice, tsetse flies, and other biting nuisance flies, using a backpack or hand sprayer. Spraying is conducted without personal protection equipment, which is considered too expensive and difficult to obtain. The farmers reported that they usually feel dizzy, vomit, and have pain and a burning feeling in their face and eyes after spraying. The symptoms are sometimes so severe that they require treatment. In such cases, the farmers buy medication without a prescription at the local drugstore, where the storekeeper often has limited or no knowledge of agrochemicals or drugs except for dosage. Agricultural health and safety training in the region is non-existent, and the farmers expressed a need and desire for improvements in this area. Conclusion: The level of knowledge and awareness of agricultural health and safety risks, disease, and injury prevention among the Ugandan dairy farmers interviewed was low. The farmers mentioned few agriculture-related complaints, injuries, or diseases except poisoning from using agrochemicals. Training on health and safety in Ugandan agriculture is urgently needed.
Authors/Creators: | Lunner Kolstrup, Christina and Ssali, Tonny K. | ||||
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Title: | Awareness and Need for Knowledge of Health and Safety among Dairy Farmers Interviewed in Uganda | ||||
Series Name/Journal: | Frontiers in Public Health | ||||
Year of publishing : | 2016 | ||||
Volume: | 4 | ||||
Page range: | 1-10 | ||||
Number of Pages: | 10 | ||||
Publisher: | Frontiers | ||||
ISSN: | 2296-2565 | ||||
Language: | English | ||||
Publication Type: | Journal article | ||||
Refereed: | Yes | ||||
Article category: | Scientific peer reviewed | ||||
Version: | Published version | ||||
Full Text Status: | Public | ||||
Subjects: | (A) Swedish standard research categories 2011 > 4 Agricultural Sciences > 405 Other Agricultural Sciences > Agricultural Occupational Health and Safety | ||||
Agrovoc terms: | agricultural workers, health hazards | ||||
Keywords: | dairy farmers, physically demanding, risk factors, agrochemicals, injuries, developing countries, Uganda | ||||
URN:NBN: | urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-3598 | ||||
Permanent URL: | http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-e-3598 | ||||
Additional ID: |
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ID Code: | 13506 | ||||
Faculty: | LTV - Fakulteten för landskapsarkitektur, trädgårds- och växtproduktionsvetenskap | ||||
Department: | (LTJ, LTV) > Department of Work Science, Business Economics, and Environmental Psychology (until 2020) | ||||
Deposited By: | SLUpub Connector | ||||
Deposited On: | 18 Aug 2016 10:41 | ||||
Metadata Last Modified: | 24 Sep 2020 18:23 |
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