Kentucky Injury Prevention
and Research Center Publicaions

Injury Surveillance for Non-Traumatic Agriculturally-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (NTARMSDs)

Steenbergen LA, Struttmann T, Kidd P.

Objectives: To design and test a system that would foster the reporting of non-traumatic agriculturally-related musculoskeletal disorders (NTARMSDs) by physicians in agricultural communities.

Methods: Clinically relevant surveillance tools were designed to collect detailed data on individual occurrences of these types of injuries as well as the farm task precipitating the injury. A randomized sample of health care providers representing identified specialties was selected from two agricultural counties to participate in standardized interviews. Interviews were analyzed, provider preferences and needs identified, and a surveillance system developed which would 1) maximize the identification of NTARMSD clients and initiation of data collection by the facility staff at onset of client visit, 2) optimize compliance with data collection guidelines during the client visit, and 3) facilitate submission of data to researchers. The surveillance system was tested with health care providers in a third agricultural county.

Results: Descriptive statistics will be used to examine the data and information will be summarized into typical patient profiles for child, teen and adult. These profiles will include context of work performed as well as injury sequelae and descriptions.

Evaluation: Record reviews at participating provider offices will be conducted to determine specificity and sensitivity of the system. Valid data on prevalence and risk factors are integral in developing prevention strategies for these potentially disabling farm injuries.

Comments to Mark Schneider, Last Modified: July 9, 2001 by JP
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