The health and wellbeing of Australian farmers: a longitudinal cohort study

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Bronwyn Brew¹  Brian Kelly²  Kerry Inder³  Joanne Allen⁴  Matthew Thomas⁵ 

[1] Bathurst Rural Clinical School, Western Sydney University, Bathurst Base Hospital, Howick St, Bathurst, NSW, Australia;Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Forest Road, Orange, NSW, Australia;Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Karolinska Institute, SE-171 77, Stockholm, Sweden;Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, and School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;Centre for Rural and Remote Mental Health, University of Newcastle, Forest Road, Orange, NSW, Australia;School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;Massey University, Private Bag 11222, Palmerston North, New Zealand;Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research, and School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia;School of Psychology, Charles Sturt University, Panorama Drive, Bathurst, NSW, Australia;

关键词: Farmers;    Mental health;    Wellbeing;    Rural;    Epidemiology;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-016-3664-y

 received in 2016-05-27, accepted in 2016-09-12,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundIsolation, long work days, climate change and globalization are just some of the many pressures that make farming a vulnerable occupation for incurring mental health issues. The objective of this study was to determine whether farming in Australia is associated with poorer wellbeing, physical and mental health, and less health service use.MethodsThe Australian Rural Mental Health Study, a longitudinal cohort study was analysed over four time points comparing farmers with non-farming workers (n = 1184 at baseline). Participants were recruited from rural NSW, Australia. A number of physical, mental health, wellbeing, service use outcomes were assessed using generalised estimating equations including all waves in each model. Barriers to seeking help were also assessed.ResultsFarmers who lived remotely reported worse mental health (β −0.33, 95 % CI −0.53, −0.13) and wellbeing (β −0.21(95 % CI −0.35, −0.06) than remote non-farm workers regardless of financial hardship, rural specific factors eg drought worry, or recent adverse events. All farmers were no different to non-farming workers on physical health aspects except for chronic illnesses, where they reported fewer illnesses (OR 0.66, 95 % CI 0.44, 0.98). All farmers were half as likely to visit a general practitioner (GP) or a mental health professional in the last 12 months as compared to non-farm workers regardless of location (OR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.35, 0.97). Rural workers felt that they preferred to manage themselves rather than access help for physical health needs (50 %) or mental health needs (75 %) and there was little difference between farmers and non-farm workers in reasons for not seeking help.ConclusionsRemoteness is a significant factor in the mental health and wellbeing of farmers, more so than financial stress, rural factors and recent adverse events. Creative programs and policies that improve access for farmers to GPs and mental health professionals should be supported.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2016