The Hidden Work of the Farm Homemaker

Despite women’s involvement in agricultural production, the work role of women residing in farm households has not been thoroughly examined. Data collected in 1994-1995 as part of the NIOSH-sponsored Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project were used to address task issues and health status of farm women in Kentucky. In 1996, the farm woman component of the Kentucky study was replicated in five counties in west Texas, allowing an examination of farm women in two large agricultural states. The Kentucky study employed a two-stage cluster design;the Texas study was based on a systematic quota sample of farms. Both studies selected a sample of women aged 18 years and older living in farm households. A total of 992 women in Kentucky (response rate = 85%) and 665 women in Texas completed a structured 30-min telephone interview on work roles, health status, injuries, and demographics. The results indicated that although 46.4% of the Kentucky respondents and 46.3% of the Texas respondents characterized themselves as farm homemakers, they regularly engaged in farmwork. Reported tasks included work with animals, tobacco-related chores, field irrigation, farm equipment operation, and farm management. Further, women who characterized themselves as homemakers reported rates of farm injuries that were comparable with women who classified themselves in other roles such as full agricultural partners. Role definition may influence the woman’s perception of risk on the farm, preclude participation in farm safety programs, and prevent an accurate occupational medical history. This two-state descriptive study highlights the hidden work role of the farm woman—a role that remains invisible to the farm woman herself—and emphasizes the important occupational exposures that farm women encounter

The Hidden Work of the Farm Homemaker

Despite women’s involvement in agricultural production, the work role of women residing in farm households has not been thoroughly examined. Data collected in 1994-1995 as part of the NIOSH-sponsored Farm Family Health and Hazard Surveillance Project were used to address task issues and health status of farm women in Kentucky. In 1996, the farm woman component of the Kentucky study was replicated in five counties in west Texas, allowing an examination of farm women in two large agricultural states. The Kentucky study employed a two-stage cluster design;the Texas study was based on a systematic quota sample of farms. Both studies selected a sample of women aged 18 years and older living in farm households. A total of 992 women in Kentucky (response rate = 85%) and 665 women in Texas completed a structured 30-min telephone interview on work roles, health status, injuries, and demographics. The results indicated that although 46.4% of the Kentucky respondents and 46.3% of the Texas respondents characterized themselves as farm homemakers, they regularly engaged in farmwork. Reported tasks included work with animals, tobacco-related chores, field irrigation, farm equipment operation, and farm management. Further, women who characterized themselves as homemakers reported rates of farm injuries that were comparable with women who classified themselves in other roles such as full agricultural partners. Role definition may influence the woman’s perception of risk on the farm, preclude participation in farm safety programs, and prevent an accurate occupational medical history. This two-state descriptive study highlights the hidden work role of the farm woman—a role that remains invisible to the farm woman herself—and emphasizes the important occupational exposures that farm women encounter

The Impact of Farm Lifestyle and Health Characteristics: Cervical Cancer Screening Among Southern Farmwomen

BACKGROUND: Rural residence, access to healthcare facilities, and multiple roles of farmwomen may pose barriers to cervical cancer screening among women living in southern farm states. OBJECTIVES: To compare the proportion of women failing to obtain cervical cancer screening in three Southern states to state-level Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data and to identify factors contributing to cervical cancer screening and detection behaviors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected using several Farm Family Health and Injury Prevention surveys via telephone interviews in three southern states. Farmwomen (N = 2,324) from three states comprised the sample on Pap testing. Data were used from summary reports of the BRFSS for each state to compare the proportion of farmwomen ≥ 18 years of age who had failed to obtain a Pap test within the past 3 years to failure to obtain Pap tests statewide. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the predictors of failure to obtain early screening. RESULTS: Pap testing did not meet Healthy People 2010 target goal of 90%. Farm lifestyle predicting failure to obtain cervical cancer screening included having a house on the farm and engaging in no off-farm work and minimal involvement in farm tasks. The risk of failing to obtain Pap testing increased with age and decreased with education. The only health access variable contributing to failure to obtain Pap testing was women with no insurance. Positive preventive risk factors contributing to compliance with up-to-date status were previous mammogram and previous breast exam. Being married was a positive risk factor. DISCUSSION: Although the failure to obtain Pap testing in Texas was comparable to state BRFSS rates, failure to obtain Pap testing rates in Kentucky and Louisiana were at least 6% greater for farmwomen than women living in the state. Farmwomen, a subgroup of the rural population, have unique barriers to obtaining screening services. Geographical isolation and minimal role involvement on the farm may contribute to the likelihood that women are not seeking cervical cancer screening