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Musculoskeletal Pain and Cardiovascular Risk in Hispanic/Latino Meatpacking Workers.
- Source :
- Workplace Health & Safety; Dec2021, Vol. 69 Issue 12, p556-563, 8p
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Background: Most meatpacking workers have pain affecting their back, arms, and/or wrists from work-related repetitive motions, forceful exertion, and awkward positioning. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is associated with obesity, hypertension, type II diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Hispanic/Latino workers in the meatpacking industry are a vulnerable population; limited English, lack of health insurance, and fear of deportation often deter them from seeking care where preventable cardiovascular risks might be detected. The purpose of this study was to examine perceived health and actual cardiovascular risk among Hispanic/Latino meatpacking workers with musculoskeletal pain in Nebraska. Methods: Structured interviews were used to examine perceived health, awareness of cardiometabolic risk, and capacity for health self-management. Body mass index (BMI), lipids, blood pressure, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and cardiorespiratory fitness (step test) were used to examine cardiovascular risk. Findings: Of those interviewed (n = 39), musculoskeletal pain affected usual life activities in 64% (n = 25) of participants. Of those tested (n = 30), 93% (n = 28) had a BMI > 30 kg/m<superscript>2</superscript>, 86% (n = 26) had at least one lipid abnormality, 50% (n = 15) had blood pressure > 120/80 mm Hg, and 43% (n = 13) had an HbA1c > 5.7%. Males had greater fitness than females (p =.03), but also greater lifetime risk of heart attack or stroke compared with females (p =.02). Conclusion/Application to Practice: In this sample, cardiovascular risk exceeded that found in the general Hispanic population in the United States. Occupational health nurses can assist workers to be aware of their risk by measuring and providing culturally and linguistically appropriate education on blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol, and HbA1c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- OCCUPATIONAL disease risk factors
CARDIOVASCULAR diseases risk factors
BLOOD pressure
GLYCOSYLATED hemoglobin
HEALTH education
EXERCISE tests
MEAT
MYALGIA
HEALTH services accessibility
STATISTICAL reliability
RESEARCH evaluation
HISPANIC Americans
RESEARCH methodology
SELF-management (Psychology)
CARDIOPULMONARY fitness
CROSS-sectional method
AGE distribution
OXYGEN consumption
FOOD packaging
FEAR
INTERVIEWING
HEALTH status indicators
ACTIVITIES of daily living
QUANTITATIVE research
MANN Whitney U Test
EMPLOYEES
RISK assessment
SEX distribution
COMPARATIVE studies
HEALTH literacy
QUALITATIVE research
PSYCHOLOGICAL tests
T-test (Statistics)
POSTURE
BODY movement
EXERCISE
AT-risk people
DEPORTATION
QUESTIONNAIRES
DESCRIPTIVE statistics
INDUSTRIAL hygiene
BODY mass index
STATISTICAL correlation
DATA analysis software
OVERUSE injuries
LIPIDS
DISEASE risk factors
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 21650799
- Volume :
- 69
- Issue :
- 12
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Workplace Health & Safety
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 154122160
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/21650799211016908