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Document ID (ISN)73928
CIS number 99-1879
ISSN - Serial title 1077-3525 - International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
Year 1998
Convention or series no.
Author(s) London L.
Title Occupational epidemiology in agriculture: A case study in the Southern African context
Bibliographic information Oct.-Dec. 1998, Vol.4, No.4, p.245-256. Illus. 47 ref.
Abstract Some challenges facing occupational epidemiology in developing countries are outlined in this case study of agriculture drawing on Southern African research. These include the characterization of exposures in resource- and data-poor environments typical of developing countries, the assessment of outcomes where cross-cultural and socio-environmental confounders may be substantial obstacles, and the impact of environmental exposures on workplace health. It is argued that, if occupational epidemiology is to have meaningful impact on the health of the most marginalized groups of workers in developing countries, it must redefine itself in terms of a public health approach. The boundaries of epidemiologic inquiry need to be broad, and amenable to interfacing with policy research, using qualitative methods and participatory approaches. More so than in other industrial settings, epidemiologists must move from research to practice, seeking to take action where interventions are needed, and to evaluate such actions. Topics: agriculture; child labour; confounding factors; developing countries; epidemiology; ethics; exposure evaluation; neurotoxic effects; pesticides; South Africa; women.
Descriptors (primary) South Africa; developing countries; agriculture; epidemiology
Descriptors (secondary) neurotoxic effects; pesticides; exposure evaluation; ethics; women; child labour; confounding factors
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceSouth Africa
Subject(s) Agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry
Broad subject area(s) Occupational medicine, epidemiology
Browse category(ies) OSH in developing countries
Agriculture
Epidemiology
Child labour