MyMedR

Health problems of agricultural workers in Malaysia

Lim HH

Trop Geogr Med, 1983 Mar;35(1):83-9.

The present paper reviews the health problems of rural agricultural workers in Malaysia. As is common with most developing countries, the agricultural sector forms the pillar of the national economy in Malaysia, the major products being rubber, palm oil, rice and timber. Most of the agricultural workers, who form the largest occupational group in the country, live in the rural areas under poor socioeconomic and environmental conditions. Their general health problems include large families, substandard housing, overcrowding, lack of piped water supply and sanitary excreta disposal, malnutrition and prevalent diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery and parasitic infections. The specific occupational health problems include infectious diseases, agricultural accidents, pesticide poisonings, physical hazards, keratitis nummularis and snake-bites. The organization of agricultural health services in developing countries is also discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology*

Fulltext Some zoonotic diseases prevalent in Malaysia

Tan DS

Malays J Pathol, 1981 Aug;4:19-27.

PMID: 7186600

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

Hymenolepis diminuta infection in a Malaysian oil palm estate worker--first case from Malaysia

Sinniah B

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 1978 Sep;9(3):453-4.

PMID: 749233

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology*

Keratitis nummularis (Dimmer) among rice-cultivators in North Malaya

Lam WP

Med J Malaya, 1968 Jun;23(4):313-22.

PMID: 4235596

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology*

Fulltext The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorder and association with productivity loss: a preliminary study among labour intensive manual harvesting activities in oil palm plantation

Ng YG, Tamrin SB, Yik WM, Yusoff IS, Mori I

Ind Health, 2014;52(1):78-85.

PMID: 24292878

Production agriculture such as harvesting in oil palm plantation has been frequently associated with MSD and significant loss of productivities. This study tends to evaluate from the viewpoint of health, the association between self-reported prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and productivities; the impact of musculoskeletal disorders on productivity. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 143 harvesters in oil palm plantation. A general questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic background data while Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of MSD. Expressed in 4 different indicators; daily harvesting quantity, efficiency score, sick leave and presenteeism, the productivity data were analysed for association. There is significant association between reported acute prevalence of MSD (within 7 d) and productivity loss in terms of presenteeism (χ(2)=5.088; p<0.05) as well as quantity of daily harvest (χ(2)=7.406; p<0.01). Logistic regression adjusted for age, BMI and smoking indicate that harvesters with MSD (past seven days) were more likely to be engaged in presenteeism (OR=2.87 95% CI=1.34, 6.14) and had lower daily productivity (OR=2.09 95% CI=1.02, 4.29) compared to harvesters without MSD (past 7 d). This study reveals that oil palm harvesters suffering acute MSD (for the past week) were likely to be still present to work and produce half lesser than their healthy counterparts. Thus, further study with comprehensive surveillance strategy is essential in order to determine the urgency or need of appropriate intervention.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology*

Patterns of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among workers in palm plantation occupation

Henry LJ, Jafarzadeh Esfehani A, Ramli A, Ishak I, Justine M, Mohan V

Asia Pac J Public Health, 2015 Mar;27(2):NP1785-92.

PMID: 23417907 DOI: 10.1177/1010539513475657

This study investigated the patterns of ongoing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) and exposure risk to musculoskeletal injuries for various body regions among palm plantation workers. Standard Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (SNMQ) was used to assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders symptoms. The Quick Exposure check (QEC) was used to assess the exposure risk of farmers to WRMDs. The common pattern of WRMDs was back pain (40%), followed by shoulder pain (19%). The QEC revealed high exposure risk for neck (56%), followed by back (45.6%). The results from the SNMQ showed that 58% reported pain in 1 region, followed by 2 regions (10.7%) and 3 regions (3.6%). Back pain and shoulder pain were found to be common among workers in palm plantation occupation. Nevertheless, the neck region appeared to have the highest risk of exposure to injuries.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology*

Fulltext Survey of acute pesticide poisoning among agricultural workers in four Asian countries

Jeyaratnam J, Lun KC, Phoon WO

Bull World Health Organ, 1987;65(4):521-7.

PMID: 3500805

The study investigated the extent of acute pesticide poisoning in selected agricultural communities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand, as well as the contributing factors, because it is believed that this type of poisoning is a major problem in developing countries, but not in the industrialized countries, despite their extensive use of pesticides. The study confirmed the existence of this problem, which was found to be due to inadequate knowledge of the safe practices in the use of pesticides among users and to the lack of suitable protective clothing for use by agricultural workers in hot and humid climates.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

Occupational safety and health in developing countries

Abrams HK

P N G Med J, 1984 Mar;27(1):24-31.

PMID: 6595901

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

Risk of mental health disorders among farmers involved in palm plantation occupation

Leonard JH, Ali JE, Vikram M, Saraswathy V, Hanif FM, Nihayah M, et al.

Clin Ter, 2013;164(5):403-6.

PMID: 24217825 DOI: 10.7417/CT.2013.1603

The aim of this study was to define mental health status of palm plantation farmers in Muar, Johor, Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology*

Fulltext Prevalence of neck pain and associated factors with personal characteristics, physical workloads and psychosocial among male rubber workers in FELDA settlement Malaysia

Shan CL, Bin Adon MY, Rahman AB, Hassan ST, Ismail KB

Glob J Health Sci, 2012 Jan;4(1):94-104.

PMID: 22980103 DOI: 10.5539/gjhs.v4n1p94

Rubber tapping processes posed potential risk of various health problems among rubber workers. It ranges from simple musculoskeletal aches to more serious and complicated structural damage to bone, muscles, tendons and nerves of musculoskeletal system. These health problems might be linked directly to the arduous demands of farm labor.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology*

Fulltext Seroprevalance of brucellosis among suspected cases in Malaysia

Jama'ayah MZ, Heu JY, Norazah A

Malays J Pathol, 2011 Jun;33(1):31-4.

PMID: 21874749 MyJurnal

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease which can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact with infected animal or their products. It is an important public health problem but little is known on brucellosis in the Malaysian population. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of Brucella antibodies using commercial Brucella IgG and IgM ELISA kits (Vircell, SL, Barcelona Spain). A total of 184 sera from suspected patients were received from 16 hospitals in Malaysia over the years 2004 to 2009. Only 10 serum samples (5.4%) were positive for Brucella antibodies in which 5 showed the presence of both IgM and IgG. Most of the positive patients were occupationally involved with animals. This study suggests the seroprevalance of brucellosis among individuals who have contact with infected animals in Malaysia is low.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

Fatal encephalitis due to Nipah virus among pig-farmers in Malaysia

Chua KB, Goh KJ, Wong KT, Kamarulzaman A, Tan PS, Ksiazek TG, et al.

Lancet, 1999 Oct 9;354(9186):1257-9.

PMID: 10520635

Between February and April, 1999, an outbreak of viral encephalitis occurred among pig-farmers in Malaysia. We report findings for the first three patients who died.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

Nipah virus--a potential agent of bioterrorism?

Lam SK

Antiviral Res, 2003 Jan;57(1-2):113-9.

PMID: 12615307

Nipah virus, a newly emerging deadly paramyxovirus isolated during a large outbreak of viral encephalitis in Malaysia, has many of the physical attributes to serve as a potential agent of bioterrorism. The outbreak caused widespread panic and fear because of its high mortality and the inability to control the disease initially. There were considerable social disruptions and tremendous economic loss to an important pig-rearing industry. This highly virulent virus, believed to be introduced into pig farms by fruit bats, spread easily among pigs and was transmitted to humans who came into close contact with infected animals. From pigs, the virus was also transmitted to other animals such as dogs, cats, and horses. The Nipah virus has the potential to be considered an agent of bioterrorism.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

New virus fingered in Malaysian epidemic

Enserink M

Science, 1999 Apr 16;284(5413):407, 409-10.

PMID: 10232977 DOI: 10.1126/science.284.5413.407

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology*

Fulltext Occupational Health and Safety in the Palm Oil Industry: A Systematic Review

Myzabella N, Fritschi L, Merdith N, El-Zaemey S, Chih H, Reid A

Int J Occup Environ Med, 2019 10;10(4):159-173.

PMID: 31586381 DOI: 10.15171/ijoem.2019.1576

BACKGROUND: The palm oil industry is the largest contributor to global production of oils and fats. Indonesia and Malaysia are the largest producers of palm oil. More than a million workers are employed in this industry, yet there is a lack of information on their occupational health and safety.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and summarize occupational hazards among oil palm plantation workers.

METHODS: A search was carried out in June 2018 in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid. Relevant publications were identified by a systematic search of four databases and relevant journals. Publications were included if they examined occupational hazards in oil palm plantation workers.

RESULTS: 941 publications were identified; of these, 25 studies were found eligible to be included in the final review. Of the 25 studies examined, 19 were conducted in Malaysia, 2 in Costa Rica, and one each in Ghana, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Cameroon. Oil palm plantation workers were found to be at risk of musculoskeletal conditions, injuries, psychosocial disorders, and infectious diseases such as malaria and leptospirosis. In addition, they have potential exposure to paraquat and other pesticides.

CONCLUSION: In light of the potential of palm oil for use as a biofuel, this is an industry with strong growth potential. The workers are exposed to various occupational hazards. Further research and interventions are necessary to improve the working conditions of this already vast and growing workforce.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

New virus emerges in Malaysia

Caplan CE

CMAJ, 1999 Jun 1;160(11):1607.

PMID: 10374006

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

Nipah viral encephalitis or Japanese encephalitis? MR findings in a new zoonotic disease

Lim CC, Sitoh YY, Hui F, Lee KE, Ang BS, Lim E, et al.

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol, 2000 Mar;21(3):455-61.

PMID: 10730635

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An epidemic of suspected Japanese encephalitis occurred in Malaysia in 1998-1999 among pig farmers. In neighboring Singapore, an outbreak occurred among pig slaughterhouse workers. It was subsequently established that the causative agent in the outbreak was not the Japanese encephalitis virus but a previously unknown Hendra-like paramyxovirus named Nipah virus.

METHODS: The brain MR images of eight patients with Nipah virus infection were reviewed. All patients tested negative for acute Japanese encephalitis virus. Seven patients had contrast-enhanced studies and six had diffusion-weighted examinations.

RESULTS: All patients had multiple small bilateral foci of T2 prolongation within the subcortical and deep white matter. The periventricular region and corpus callosum were also involved. In addition to white matter disease, five patients had cortical lesions, three had brain stem involvement, and a single thalamic lesion was detected in one patient. All lesions were less than 1 cm in maximum diameter. In five patients, diffusion-weighted images showed increased signal. Four patients had leptomeningeal enhancement and four had enhancement of parenchymal lesions.

CONCLUSION: The brain MR findings in patients infected with the newly discovered Nipah paramyxovirus are different from those of patients with Japanese encephalitis. In a zoonotic epidemic, this striking difference in the appearance and distribution of lesions is useful in differentiating these diseases. Diffusion-weighted imaging was advantageous in increasing lesion conspicuity.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

Case-control study of risk factors for human infection with a new zoonotic paramyxovirus, Nipah virus, during a 1998-1999 outbreak of severe encephalitis in Malaysia

Parashar UD, Sunn LM, Ong F, Mounts AW, Arif MT, Ksiazek TG, et al.

J Infect Dis, 2000 May;181(5):1755-9.

PMID: 10823779

An outbreak of encephalitis affecting 265 patients (105 fatally) occurred during 1998-1999 in Malaysia and was linked to a new paramyxovirus, Nipah, that infected pigs, humans, dogs, and cats. Most patients were pig farmers. Clinically undetected Nipah infection was noted in 10 (6%) of 166 community-farm controls (persons from farms without reported encephalitis patients) and 20 (11%) of 178 case-farm controls (persons from farms with encephalitis patients). Case patients (persons with Nipah infection) were more likely than community-farm controls to report increased numbers of sick/dying pigs on the farm (59% vs. 24%, P=.001) and were more likely than case-farm controls to perform activities requiring direct contact with pigs (86% vs. 50%, P=.005). Only 8% of case patients reported no contact with pigs. The outbreak stopped after pigs in the affected areas were slaughtered and buried. Direct, close contact with pigs was the primary source of human Nipah infection, but other sources, such as infected dogs and cats, cannot be excluded.

Matched MeSH terms: Agricultural Workers' Diseases/epidemiology

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