Occupational Health Problems among Seasonal and Migrant Farmworkers in Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Kasahun Alemu Gelaye,1 Getu Debalke,2 Tadesse Awoke Ayele,1 Haileab Fekadu Wolde,1 Malede Mequanent Sisay,1 Destaw Fetene Teshome,1 Temesgen Yihunie Akalu,1 Sintayehu Daba Wami3 1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 2Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, University of Gondar, Gondar, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Sintayehu Daba Wami Tel +251923398170Email sintayehudaba2004@gmail.comBackground: Migrant and seasonal farmworkers are at increased risk for occupational fatalities and injuries. Although such employment-related geographical mobility is receiving increasing attention, there is limited evidence about occupational health problems among seasonal farmworkers. Therefore, this study aims to investigate occupational health problems among seasonal and migrant farmworkers in Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed from October to December 2019 among seasonal and migrant farmworkers. The study was carried out in two sites of Amhara regional state, northwest Ethiopia. A cluster sampling technique was used to recruit 990 study participants. Bivariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 20 to identify factors associated with injuries. The significance level was obtained at 95% CI and p-value ≤ 0.05.Results: In this study, the period prevalence of work-related injury among seasonal and migrant farmworkers was 32.5% (95% CI: 29.7, 35.9). Being unemployed before migration (AOR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.26, 3.91), working for > 8 h/day (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.16, 2.27), stress (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.88) and thermal discomfort (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.98) were the significant risk factors for work-related injury. In addition, nearly two-third (60.9%) of the study participants have shown three or more heat-related illness symptoms. Moreover, the prevalence of work-related stress among seasonal and migrant farmworkers was 67.6% (95% CI: 64.6, 70.7).Conclusion: Occupational health problems among seasonal and migrant farmworkers in northwest Ethiopia remain a major public health problem. Hence, implementing tailored preventive measures like training on health and safety, and hazard control measures would be supremely important to minimize the risk.Keywords: injury, stress, seasonal and migrant workers, occupational health, Ethiopia, University of Gonda