Mental Health and Fatigue of Sheep Farmers Exposed to Organophosphate Pesticides
C.A. Jackson PhD, A. Spurgeon PhD, and K. Gardiner PhD (15 April 2003)
Refereed Report, Members Only
Abstract
To investigate the role of low level pesticide exposure and psychosocial factors in the health of English sheep farmers, mental health and fatigue were assessed in 259 farmers exposed to organophosphate pesticides (OPs) while dipping sheep, at least 28 days after exposure. Of exposed farmers, 38% showed mental health problems and 44% displayed severe fatigue. Of farmers reporting no exposure, incidence was 27% and 40% respectively. Risk of developing case-qualifying mental health and severe fatigue scores (as measured by the GHQ and CFS respectively) were slightly raised in the exposed farmers (odds ratios 1.67 and 1.19 respectively) when compared with non-exposed farmers. However, the number of mental health and severe fatigue cases across the exposed and no exposure groups were not significant (p = 0.43 and p = 0.89 respectively). Case-qualifying scores were considered to represent probable cases of psychological distress and severe fatigue. Relationships between long term OP exposure, mental health and fatigue were non significant (p = 0.55 and p = 0.95 respectively). Regression models showed three variables (stressful life events, agricultural satisfaction and handling sheep within 48 hours of dipping) were significant in prediction of mental health; exposure to spray from the dip bath while dipping and mental health were significant factors in prediction of fatigue. Farmers who reported excessive spray rising from the dip bath were three times as likely to rated themselves ill. Results support a biopsychosocial model of response to hazard exposure, as illness appeared to be explained by the interplay of physical and psychosocial factors rather than any single neurotoxicological, physiological or psychological cause.