Risk Factors for Occupational Falls among Middle-aged and Elderly Farm Workers in Nan Province, Thailand
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
1059924X
eISSN
15450813
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85125139510
Pubmed ID
35129093
Journal Title
Journal of Agromedicine
Volume
27
Issue
4
Start Page
402
End Page
408
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Agromedicine Vol.27 No.4 (2022) , 402-408
Suggested Citation
Arphorn S. Risk Factors for Occupational Falls among Middle-aged and Elderly Farm Workers in Nan Province, Thailand. Journal of Agromedicine Vol.27 No.4 (2022) , 402-408. 408. doi:10.1080/1059924X.2022.2040071 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/86662
Title
Risk Factors for Occupational Falls among Middle-aged and Elderly Farm Workers in Nan Province, Thailand
Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
As the workforce ages, the incidence of occupational falls is increasing. However, risk factors for occupational falls in farm workers have not been evaluated in detail. The current study sought to identify the risk factors for occupational falls among middle-aged and elderly farm workers in Thailand. We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire among 419 farm workers aged ≥40 years in Nan province, Thailand. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with occupational falls. Occupational falls were experienced by 25.5% of participants. Men had 2.22 times higher odds of occupational falls than women (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–4.13). Participants aged ≥60 years were less likely to experience occupational falls compared with those aged 40–49 years (odds ratio [OR]: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.20–0.96). Fruit growers were 2.72 times more likely to experience occupational falls than rice growers (95% CI: 1.33–5.55). Individuals with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 and over were 3.05 times more likely to experience occupational falls than those with body mass index <25 kg/m2 (95% CI: 1.11–8.40). The sex- and age-related trends in fall risk may indicate that elderly individuals and women in agriculture tend to be assigned lighter duties through work accommodation. To prevent falls during agricultural work, it is necessary to pay attention to farm-specific tasks and work environments, such as working at a height in fruit cultivation, as well as instability of walking caused by obesity.