Health and environment of rural families: results of a Community Canvass survey in the Prairie Ecosystem Study (PECOS).
2000
This cross-sectional survey was conducted as Phase I of the Prairie Ecosystem
Study (PECOS): Environmental Pesticide Exposure and Human Health. In November
of 1995, community volunteers delivered a self-administered household questionnaire
to 1185 rural households in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The survey provided a
broad description of the general health and the physical environment of 511 men,
499 women, and 393 children (<18 years of age) residing in 549 respondent households
in the rural study area (population density of about one person/km 2 ). Families in the
respondent households resided on a farm, in town or both. Of the 369 households that
operated a farm, 25.2% of the households did not list the farm as their primary
household. Residents of both farming and non-farming households reported contact
with pesticides and fertilizers through home or garden use. History of smoking was
greater among men and women from non-farming households. The most commonly
reported health problems among the children were a history of bronchitis, asthma, skin
allergies, pneumonia, and hay fever. The most frequently reported health problems
among the men were a history of high blood pressure, bronchitis, pneumonia, hearing
problems, and stress; and among the women were a history of bronchitis, high blood
pressure, shortness of breath, and pneumonia. Compared to farming households, more
members of non-farming households reported a history of respiratory problems,
particularly bronchitis among the women and children. Overall, there were important
differences in the smoking history, the occupational use of pesticides and fertilizers, and
the general health status between the farming and non-farming households and
individuals in this rural population.
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