Psychosocial Conditions and Access to an Occupational Health Service among Farmers

Abstract To determine whether membership in an occupational health service program varies with correlation with psychosocial risk factors, this Study was carried out among farmers in connection with a larger investigation of salutogenic factors. The study was based on information collected via questionnaires (answered on location) and standardized interviews. The material consists of 364 farmers or persons engaged in agriculture who had occupational health care and 548 without it. There were clear differences in psychosocial patterns between the groups. Those with occupational health care were less often single and had more education and more social contacts than did those without such care. Eating times were more regular and meals were better in those with occupational health care. Karasek-Theorell's indices for psychological demands and decision latitude at work were also higher in this group. Better-educated farmers and those with larger farms were more often members of an occupational health care program. In addition, this group had fewer psychosocial risk factors.

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