Injury Prevention Risk Assessment for Hmong Farming Families
John
Shutske, Professor
Michele Schermann, Research Fellow
Stacey Jenkins, Extension Educator
Ruth Rasmussen, Research Fellow
Funding Source
National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health
Objective
Objectives of this project include:
- Examine the extent of child agricultural labor in farm
families of Hmong origin in the Upper Midwest.
- Investigate culture-specific health behavior patterns
and culturally-appropriate health promotion methods for
farm families of Hmong origin.
- Evaluate the North American Guidelines for Children’s
Agricultural Tasks for applicability and appropriateness
for farm families of Hmong origin.
- Produce recommendations for adapting the guidelines to
be culturally and linguistically appropriate to Hmong farm
families.
- Design a health education tool that presents at least
three child-safety guidelines tailored specifically for
Hmong audiences.
Need or Impact
We have identified and quantified the fact that
children are very important members of the labor force among
Hmong farm
families who produce fresh market vegetables, flowers,
and other plants
and crops for sale at farmer market locations throughout
the metro regions of Minnesota. Hazardous exposures
include hand
tools like knives and small power tools like rototillers.
Hmong children are also given many responsibilities
in marketing situations
and are involved in direct sales to customers and
handling money, both of which present unique hazards.
Project
Status
Three new culturally and linguistically appropriate
safety guidelines have been developed for the
Hmong families
with whom we have
worked. We continue to cultivate ongoing relationships
with this community and provide research-based
educational programs
and consultation on an ongoing basis.
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