Evaluation of farmers’ first aid knowledge in most common injuries at work in agriculture – a pilot study

Authors

  • Grzegorz Kucaba Chair of Medical Rescue, Medical Faculty, University of Rzeszów, Poland
  • Katarzyna Bebło Chair of Medical Rescue, Medical Faculty, University of Rzeszów, Poland
  • Marek Wojtaszek Chair of Medical Rescue, Medical Faculty, University of Rzeszów, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8474-3706
  • Dawid Filip Chair of Medical Rescue, Medical Faculty, University of Rzeszów, Poland
  • Marek Muster Chair of Medical Rescue, Medical Faculty, University of Rzeszów, Poland
  • Maciej Naróg Chair of Medical Rescue, Medical Faculty, University of Rzeszów, Poland
  • Andrzej Włodyka Chair of Medical Rescue, Medical Faculty, University of Rzeszów, Poland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15584/ejcem.2017.1.2

Keywords:

injuries at work in agriculture, trauma, first aid

Abstract

Introduction. According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), agriculture is one of the most dangerous industries. The rate of fatal accidents in agriculture is about twice the average for other sectors.

Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge of first aid concerning the most common injuries that occur in agricultural work. The analysis of the types of injuries during work in agriculture and their incidence among Polish farmers in the years 2013–2014 made it possible to define the most common types of injuries and their causes for the selected professional group and to draw up a survey for the farmers in order to achieve the main research goal.

Material and methods. The study was conducted in two stages. At first, data from KRUS – Kasa Rolniczego Ubezpieczenia Społecznego (the Polish Agricultural Social Insurance Fund) was analyzed with reference to the incidence and the type of injuries that occurred in agriculture in 2013 and 2014. Then research was carried out by means of a survey based on the data obtained in the first stage. The study was preliminary and it was carried out on a sample of 51 persons.

Results. The most common cause of the 41,702 incidents qualified by the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund as an accident in agriculture in Poland in the years 2013 and 2014 was a fall from heights. Every fourth respondent had witnessed or had been directly involved in an accident in agriculture. Despite the fact that everyone declared familiarity with the principles of first aid, over a half of the respondents had never given it.

Conclusion. All of the respondents declared having knowledge of the principles of first aid, however, research shows that their knowledge is incomplete and not consolidated. Due to the fact that there are few reports on the research topic, it seems advisable to continue it in a larger study group. With reference to pesticide use, despite having knowledge of the hazard of intoxication by organophosphate compounds, a majority of farmers included in the study did not use any personal protective equipment.

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Published

2017-03-31

How to Cite

Kucaba, G., Bebło, K., Wojtaszek, M., Filip, D., Muster, M., Naróg, M., & Włodyka, A. (2017). Evaluation of farmers’ first aid knowledge in most common injuries at work in agriculture – a pilot study. European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 15(1), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.15584/ejcem.2017.1.2

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2017): European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

Section

ORIGINAL PAPERS

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Copyright (c) 2017 European Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine

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