• 한국전문물리치료학회지
• /
• 제24권2호
• /
• pp.76-91
• /
• 2017

Background: Agricultural work is physically demanding and is associated with a high frequency of musculoskeletal disorders. It is challenging to comprehensively understand the present status of work-related diseases and injuries among farmers in underdeveloped countries. Objects: This study aimed to elucidate the current status of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in local farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia, and identify the agricultural factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (AFWMP) and healthy living and healthy behavior factors associated work-related musculoskeletal pain (HFWMP). Methods: The Institute for Poverty Alleviation and International Development at Yonsei University conducted a survey of 126 households in Tigray, Ethiopia in 2014. A total of 116 individuals (73 men, 43 women) representing each household answered the questionnaires. Results: 1) Work-related musculoskeletal pain (WMSP) most commonly occurred when performing heavy lifting and most frequently occurred in the lower back. 2) Age, self-perceived labor intensity, and months of farming work were significantly higher in the pain group than those in the non-pain group. 3) Overall work-related musculoskeletal pain intensity (WPI) showed positive and negative correlations with years of farming experience and self-perceived health status, respectively. 4) In binary logistic regression, the occurrence of WMSP showed significant associations with self-perceived labor intensity. 5) On multiple linear regression analysis, age, months of farming work, and self-perceived health status had a significant impact on overall WPI. Conclusion: The WMSP of farmers in Tigray, Ethiopia was related to the characteristics of farm working and health status. Furthermore, HFWMP and AFWMP were the chief factors affecting the occurrence of WMSP in farmers in Tigray. Therefore, both HFWMP and AFWMP should be considered for clinical health assessments of farmers with WMSP in underdeveloped African countries.

• Agribusiness and Information Management
• /
• 제10권2호
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2018

In the present day context of changing information needs of the farmers and diversified production systems there is an urgent need to look for the effective extension support system for the small and marginal farmers in the developing countries like India. The rapid developments in the collection and analysis of field data by using the spatial technologies like GPS&GIS were made available for the extension functionaries and clientele for the diversified information needs. This article describes the GIS and GPS based decision support system in precision agriculture for the resource poor farmers. Precision farming techniques are employed to increase yield, reduce production costs, and minimize negative impacts to the environment. The parameters those can affect the crop yields, anomalous factors and variations in management practices can be evaluated through this GPS and GIS based applications. The spatial visualisation capabilities of GIS technology interfaced with a relational database provide an effective method for analysing and displaying the impacts of Extension education and outreach projects for small and marginal farmers in precision agriculture. This approach mainly benefits from the emergence and convergence of several technologies, including the Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information system (GIS), miniaturised computer components, automatic control, in-field and remote sensing, mobile computing, advanced information processing, and telecommunications. The PPP convergence of person (farmer), project (the operational field) and pixel (the digital images related to the field and the crop grown in the field) will better be addressed by this decision support model. So the convergence and emergence of such information will further pave the way for categorisation and grouping of the production systems for the better extension delivery. In a big country like India where the farmers and holdings are many in number and diversified categorically such grouping is inevitable and also economical. With this premise an attempt has been made to develop a precision farming model suitable for the developing countries like India.

• 농촌지도와개발
• /
• 제30권2호
• /
• pp.69-82
• /
• 2023

This study aims to examine the moderating effects of work hours between job stress and quality of life of young farmers. A survey was conducted on 618 young farmers for one month from July 1, 2022. The main analysis results are as follows. First, quality of life and job stress, quality of life and work hours had a negative correlation, and job stress and work hours had a positive correlation. Second, work hours were found to have a moderating effect on the relationship between job stress and quality of life. Third, as a result of identifying the area of significance of work hours, it was found that work hours played a role in moderating the relationship between quality of life and job stress when work hours were longer than 1.327 hours. Fourth, as a result of visualizing the moderating effect by dividing work hours into three groups: high, medium, and low, it was found that even if the level of job stress was the same, the farmers with long work hours perceived their quality of life to be worse than those with shorter work hours. It can be said that in order for young farmers to settle down and live stably in agriculture and rural areas as professionals, it is very important to actively develop and support policies to improve the working environment in the agricultural sector that can secure time to enjoy culture and leisure and relieve job stress.

• Asia Marketing Journal
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.29-47
• /
• 2013

Distribution channel decisions involve long-term commitments with other firms that are very difficult to change or replace. In particular, marketing channel decisions in emerging markets are much more complicated due to unfamiliar conditions and problems such as lack of market data and distribution systems. Therefore, when a company considers changing or introducing a marketing channel in an area, it is much more difficult to judge its effectiveness in an emerging market than in a developed market. In this study, we investigate the development process of a new direct marketing channel of Hongfu Fertilizer Company (hereafter Hongfu), a medium-sized Chinese fertilizer manufacturer, and propose an approach to test the feasibility of this new marketing channel in the Chinese rural market. We measure the effectiveness of Hongfu's new marketing channel from two perspectives: i) from customers' perspective through direct responses of farmers, which showed that a new channel can increase the convenience and lower the purchasing costs for the farmers, and ii) from the company's perspective, by calculating the incremental profit of the company using the expansion factor (T/Q) method, which suggested that the execution of Hongfu's strategy to expand a new marketing channel will result in an increase in profits. The results of this study contribute to the development of a methodology to test the feasibility of a new direct marketing channel in the emerging markets such as the Chinese rural market. Traditional and indirect distribution channels in emerging markets are generally not very efficient and difficult to change. Especially, in emerging markets, like the Chinese rural market, the methods of testing channel feasibility must be different from that of developed markets. Considering market situations, market experiments can be more effective then systematic market surveys in testing channel feasibility in emerging markets. This study implies that managers must learn to cope with a transition from the traditional marketing channels in emerging markets. With the development in farmers' understanding of marketing concept, the transition from traditional marketing channel is unavoidable for all firms. Farmers in China are generally very conservative, however, their buying behaviors are changing. Therefore, fertilizer companies should try to adjust in accordance with farmers' demand characteristics that the efforts to meet the economic needs of farmers with new marketing channels as well as trust building are critical in the near future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제57권1호
• /
• pp.73-82
• /
• 2024

Objectives: The unsafe use of pesticides in agriculture represents a major hazard to human health. This study was conducted to investigate the association between pesticide exposure and health symptoms among chili farmers in northeast Thailand. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study included 141 chili farmers in Sakon Nakhon Province, in northeast Thailand. Data regarding health symptoms were gathered using a self-report questionnaire. A medical technician tested blood cholinesterase activity using an erythrocyte method, and an occupational medicine specialist at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand reviewed the results. Associations between personal characteristics, pesticide exposure factors, and health symptoms were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: Of the 141 chili farmers studied, 66.7% experienced pesticide poisoning, as indicated by below-normal cholinesterase levels. Fatigue was the most frequently reported symptom associated with pesticide exposure, affecting 37.6% of participants. This was followed by nausea and vomiting (31.9%), dizziness (14.9%), and dry throat (14.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that several factors were significantly associated with adverse symptoms: amount of work experience, volume of pesticides used, use of chemical pesticides, use of leaking containers during spraying, direct pesticide exposure while working, contact with pesticide-soaked clothing, consumption of food and drinks in the fields, and blood cholinesterase level indicating risk. Conclusions: This study suggests potential health risks for chili farmers stemming from exposure to and contamination by pesticides used in agricultural practices. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to supply personal protective equipment and to implement educational programs aimed at improving protective behaviors among farmers.

• 대한가정학회지
• /
• 제46권1호
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 2008

We analyzed the effects of regular Jjimjilbang(Korean sauna) exposure on the physiological responses in seven elderly farmers(Male=3, Female=4). Jjimjil training group took a bath in Jjimjilbang 8 times twice a week. Jjimjibang exposure was limited three times per day. Rectal temperature, total sweat rate, body fat (%), blood pressure, pulse, $Na^+$ concentration in sweat, and subjective sensation were measured during Jjimjil training exposure. The results are as follow: During Jjimjil exposure, changes of rectal temperature in male farmers were more stabilized than female farmers. The gradual decrease in total sweat rate and Na+ concentration in sweat was observed in both sexes. After Jjimjil exposure, the decrease in blood pressure was observed in both sexes, but not observed changes according to regular Jjimjil exposure. Subjective thermal comfort sensation was changed positively. In conclusion, the regular Jjimjil exposure has positive effects upon improvement in regulation of body temperature, blood pressure, and $Na^+$ concentration especially in heat tolerance.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
• /
• 제24권1호
• /
• pp.13-33
• /
• 1999

충청남도 청양군의 2개면 14개리에 거주하는 비닐하우스 재배자 177명과 일반 농민 213명을 대상으로 1998년 2월 24일부터 3월 15일까지 피로도, 주관적 건강상태, 농부증과 이의 위험요인을 파악하기 위하여 설문조사를 실시한 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 피로도는 비닐하우스 재배자와 일반 농민간에 차이가 없었으며, 성별로는 여자가 남자보다(p<0.01), 교육수준이 낮을수록(p<0.01), 8시간 미만의 수면시간 (p<0.05), 비흡연자, 비음주자에서 피로도가 높았고, 연령, 식생활습관, 체질량지수는 관계가 없었다. 작업환경은 비닐하우스 재배자에서 총농사기간(r=0.159, p<0.05), 일반 농민은 총경작면적(r=-0.143, p<0.05)과 농작업동반가족수(r=-0.136, p<05)에서 약한 상관관계를 보였다. 2. 주관적 건강상태는 비닐하우스 재배자와 일반 농민간에 차이가 없었으며, 성별로는 여자가 남자보다(p<0.01), 교육수준이 낮을수록 (p<0.01), 8시간 미만의 수면시간(p<0.05), 비흡연자에서 주관적 건강상태가 좋지 않았으며, 연령, 음주, 식생활습관, 체질량지수, 작업환경은 관련성이 없었다. 3. '농부증 있음'은 비닐하우스 재배자 49.2%, 일반 농민 52.1%로 비슷하였으며, 성별로 비닐하우스 재배자와 일반 농민 모두 여자에서 57.0%, 58.8%로 남자 37.1%, 40.3%보다 높았다(p<0.01). 교육수준은 비닐하우스 재배자의 경우 무학 58.1%, 초등학교 50.0%, 중졸 이상 36.1%로 학력이 낮을수록 높았고(p<0.01), 일반 농민도 각각 56.3%, 51.0%, 33.3%로 같은 경향이었다(p<0.01). 흡연과 음주여부는 비닐하우스 재배자의 경우 비흡연군과 비음주군에서 높았으나, 일반 농민에서는 차이가 없었고, 체질량지수도 비닐하우스 재배자의 경우 세장형 57.1%, 비만형 63.9%로 정상형 42.5%보다 높았으나(p<0.05), 일반 농민은 차이가 없었다. 4. 농부증의 위험요인에 대한 다변량 로지스틱 회귀분석에서 성별, 수면시간이 중요한 요인이었으며, 남자를 기준하였을 때 여자의 교차비는 2.53(p<0.01), 수면시간 8시간 미만을 기준하였을 때 8시간 이상은 0.74로(p<0.01), 여자에서 발생위험이 높았고, 수면시간이 8시간 이상일수록 발생위험은 낮아졌다. 5. 비닐하우스 재배지와 일반 농민에서 많이 호소하는 주관적 신체증상은 '등이 결리거나 허리가 아파서 일하기가 어렵다.' '팔과 다리가 몹시 쑤시고 아픈 일이 있다', '손발이 저리거나 찌릿찌릿 하다'. '팔과 다리에 통증이 있어서 불편하다' '손의 힘이 전에 비해 약해졌다'에서 과반수 이상이 있다고 응답하였으며, 비닐하우스 재배자에서 일반 농민보다 많은 증상은 '피부의 일부분이 검게 변하였다'. '습진이나 무좀 등이 피부질환이 있다', '치질로 고생한 일이 있다'였다. 6. 대응분석 결과 비닐하우스 재배자는 피부계 질환이 높게 관찰되었으며, 남자는 소화기계 장애나 기타 질환, 여성에서는 내분비질환, 근육계통의 질환이 많은 것으로 나타났고, 농부증도 일반 농민과 여자에서 상대적으로 높은 것으로 나타났다. 결론적으로 피로도, 주관적 건강상태, 농부증도 비닐하우스 재배자와 일반 농민간에 차이가 없었으며, 주로 농사와 노동일을 병행하는 여성에서 많고, 연령이 증가함에 따라 유병률도 증가하는 경향을 감안하면 추후 농촌의 노령환된 여성들에 대한 중점적인 관리가 필요하다. 또한 작업환경의 차이에 의하여 비닐하우스 재배자에서만 나타나는 미약하지만 특징적인 증상이 있으므로 이에 대한 지속적인 조사와 관리의 필요성이 있다.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
• /
• 제19권1호
• /
• pp.5-13
• /
• 1994

To investigate the cause of Farmers' Syndrome, this study was done in some rural areas of Kyoungsangam Province, from July to August of 1993. 117 men and 112 women were completed interview, medical examination and laboratory examination. The results were as follows. 1. The prevalence of Farmers' Syndrome in women was 509 per 1,000 and it was significantly higher than that in men, 329 per 1,000(p=0.0026). Prevalence of age adjusted with rural population of Kyungsangnam Province of 1985 was 204 per 1,000 in men and 383 per 1,000 in women. The average age of subjects with Farmers' Syndrome, 58.9 was significantly higher than that of subjects without Farmers' Syndrome, 53.2(p<0.001). 2. The most frequent symptom was lumbago(27.7%), and the second was numb limbs(21.6%), and the third was shoulder stiffness(20.9%). Less than 10% of study subjects complained of breathlessness, sleeplessness, dizziness. Women complained of shoulder stiffness(p<0.001), lumbago(p<0.001), numb limbs(p<0.05), dizziness(p<0.001), abdominal fullness(p<0.001) significantly frequently than men. 3. Those aged 50 or more complained of shoulder stiffness(p<0.001), lumbago(p<0.01), numb limbs(p<0.001), nocturia(p<0.001), breathlessness(p<0.05), sleeplessness (p<0.05) and dizziness(p<0.05) significantly frequently than those aged less than 50. 4. By logistic regression, the risk factors significantly associated with Farmers' Syndrome were age(odds ratio(OR)=1.05, 95% confidence interval(CI) 1.02-1.07), sex(OR of 75,95% CI 0.58-0.97), and mental stress(OR=1.39, 95% CI 1.03-1.86). 5. By logistic regression, the risk factors significantly associated with each component symptom of Farmers' Syndrome were as follows. There were significant associations between sex(OR of male=0.51) with shoulder stiffness, age(OR=1.04) and mental stress(OR=1.72) with lumbago, age(OR=1.06), regular exercise(OR=0.35) and mental stress(OR=1.63) with numb limbs, age(OR=1.06) and abnormal LFT(OR=1.59) with nocturia, age(OR=1.08) with breathlessness, sex(OR of male=0.56) with dizziness respectively.

• 한국환경교육학회지:환경교육
• /
• 제20권2호
• /
• pp.93-107
• /
• 2007

Livestock agriculture plays an essential role Hongsung's economy. Unfortunately, if manure is manage properly it can contaminate water and pollute the air. The purposes of this study were to provide awareness of environmental impact and to design educational programs with sustainable agriculture. I used the specific steps of processes. First, collecting informations through survey on environmental awareness of livestock farmers in Hongsung-gun and recognizing the tendencies. Second, analyzing on educational status of livestock farmers. Third, finding objectives of environmental educational programs. At the end of processes, establishing programs which concerning on environmental education. I used two research methods to gather and analyze the data for developing an environmental education program. The first one is a general survey among 50 livestock farmers from Hongseong-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. The second one is the in-depth interviews with specialists in environmental education and government officials from the central government - the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry - and the local government - Hongsung-gun who are in charge of livestock farming. I found the following results from this research. First, most livestock farmers replied with 'highly likely' to the five items on the recognition of the necessity of environment preservation, whereas only 38.7% answered with 'likely' to the item on the environmental pollution caused by livestock farming. This shows the tendency that they have less recognition of the reality than necessary. Second, most of the contents among 5 areas(knowledge, recognition, function, attitude, and participation) are the knowledge areas. That results are analyzed training materials for livestock farmers made by Hongsung-gun in 2004 and in 2005 by using goal categories suggested in the Tbilisi Resolution. Third, after analyzing the survey and in-depth interviews, I found that the need for education to recognize the environmental pollution, environmental protection and recycling of the livestock waste. We can summarize conclusions from this research. First, we need on educational program improve the livestock farmers' recognition of importance in environmental protection. Second, it is necessary to develop educational program with the viewpoint that livestock waste is not one of the culprits of the environmental pollution, but a recyclable resource. Third, contents of the environmental education program, should include all the educational elements, namely, knowledge, recognition, attitude, function and participation. The education for livestock farmers requires a research on the environmental education program that can be used with crop farmers who can use the resources recycled from the livestock waste from the viewpoint of recycling resources. This research is focused on the collection and analysis of the basic data for developing an environmental education program and the composition of the program. A further research on the implementation and assessment of this program is required.

• 한국유기농업학회지
• /
• 제21권2호
• /
• pp.233-246
• /
• 2013

본 연구에서는 친환경유기농자재를 사용하는 농업인을 대상으로 친환경유기농자재 구입실태 및 친환경유기농자재 안전관리방안에 대한 인식도 등을 조사하였다. 친환경 유기농자재를 구입하는 가장 큰 경로는 친환경농업단체였으며, 자재의 구입을 결정하는 가장 큰 근거는 '생산되는 농산물이 안전할 것 같아서'로 나타났다. 현재 친환경유기농자재에 대한 정보를 가장 많이 입수하는 경로는 '농업기술센터가 주최하는 교육'이었으며, 향후에도 국가 및 관련기관의 교육이나 홈페이지를 통해 정보를 제공받기를 희망하는 비율이 69.0%에 달하였다. 반면 '농자재판매상'을 통한 정보제공의 희망 비율이 매우 낮아 제도적으로 농자재 판매상 교육을 지원함으로써 농업인에게 정확한 농자재의 정보가 제공될 수 있도록 할 필요가 있다. 또한 국가기관에서 농업인들에게 제공하는 교육을 통한 안전성 관련 정보 제공의 필요성을 높게 인식하고 있었으며, 특히 농자재의 안전교육을 안전한 제품개발 다음으로 중요하게 여기는 것으로 조사되었다. 또한 조사대상 농업인은 친환경유기농자재의 유통기한 설정, 사용자 취급지침 설정과 독성구분 표기가 모두 필요하다고 응답하였다. 설문문항간 신뢰성을 검증하기 위하여 실시한 크론바하 알파계수는 0.699로 본 연구에서 설문한 문항에 대해 조사대상자들이 신뢰 있게 응답하였음을 알 수 있다.