Health-Risk Behaviors in Agriculture and Related Factors, Southeastern Anatolian Region of Turkey

PubMedID: 25275402Human behavior plays a central role in the maintenance of health and the prevention of diseases. This study aimed to determine the risky behaviors of farm operators selected from a province of Turkey’s southeastern Anatolian region, as well as the factors related to risky behaviors. In this cross-sectional analysis, 380 farm operators were enrolled through simple random selection method, and the response rate was 85%. Health-risk behavior was measured using the Control List of Occupational Risks in Agriculture. Of 323 farm operators, 85.4% were male. The prevalence of risky behaviors related to measures of environmental risks were higher in animal husbandry, transportation, transportation and maintenance of machinery, pesticide application, child protection, thermal stress, and psychosocial factors in the work place. Education, age, duration of work, and size of agricultural area were associated with risky behaviors in a multiple linear regression (P <.05). Findings showed that a certified training program and a behavior surveillance system for agriculture should be developed. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.Ontario Ministry of Food and Agriculture National Council for Scientific Research: 12106This is a cross-sectional study. The study’s population consisted of 12,722 agricultural farm operators in the province of S¸ anlıurfa. A list of farm operations was received from the Republic of Turkey Ministry of Food Agriculture and Livestock S¸ anlıurfa Directorate. This list covered all the farmers who have recently received agricultural support.This study was funded by a grant from the Harran University Scientific Research Council (No. 12106)