Skin Disease Among Latino Farmworkers in North Carolina
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Mark R. Schulz, Assistant Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: An estimated 4.2 million seasonal and migrant farm workers and their dependents
live in the U.S. Most of these farmworkers are Latino. These workers are exposed to numerous
occupational and environmental risk factors that can result in skin disease. Few data exist on
the prevalence of skin disease in this population. The purpose of this study was to estimate the
prevalence and predictors of skin disease in a sample of Latino farmworkers in North
Carolina. A sample of 59 farmworkers was recruited and interviewed at two camps during the
2004 agricultural season. A dermatologist completed a skin exam of each worker and
recorded any skin disease present. Forty-two (77.7%) of the 54 men, and all five of the women
examined had a diagnosed skin disease. For the men, onychomycosis (nail fungus, 31.5%),
tinea pedis (foot fungus, 27.8%), and acne (24.1%) were the most commonly diagnosed skin
diseases, with contact dermatitis diagnosed in 5.6% of the sample. Other diagnoses included
scars, sunburn, and atopic dermatitis. Among the women, diagnoses included melasma (dark
patches on the face, 2 cases), xerosis (excessively dry skin, 1 case), tinea pedis (2 cases),
onychomycosis (1 case), acne (1 case), and insect bites (1 case). There were no statistically
significant differences between workers in the two camps despite different growing seasons
and different crops harvested. Skin disease is prevalent among the North Carolina Latino
farmworkers who participated in this study, with fungal disease being the most prevalent.
Skin Disease Among Latino Farmworkers in North Carolina
PDF (Portable Document Format)
677 KB
Created on 9/3/2010
Views: 1289
Additional Information
- Publication
- Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health 12(2): 155-163
- Language: English
- Date: 2006
- Keywords
- Farmworkers, Latino, Migrant and seasonal, Prevalence, Skin disease