Fall-related injuries among agricultural household members: Regional Rural Injury Study II (RRIS-II).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to identify the magnitude and consequences of and potential risk factors for fall-related injuries among agricultural operation households.

METHODS

Demographic, injury, and exposure data were collected through 1999 from 3765 households in a five-state region. A causal model facilitated survey design, data analyses, and interpretation of results; directed acyclic graphs guided multivariate modeling.

RESULTS

The 16,538 participants experienced 766 fall-related injury events (48.3 per 1000 persons). Consequences included lost agricultural and other work time. Increased risks involved residence in states other than Minnesota, male gender, and injury history. Decreased risks were among those less than 35 years of age and those who worked 40 hours or less per week.

CONCLUSIONS

Fall-related injury is a major problem for the agricultural population. This effort serves as a basis for further in-depth research.