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HIV Risk Reduction Education and Latino Farmworkers in Rural Michigan Agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States, especially for those who perform agricultural labor. Migrant and seasonal farmworkers[1] experience risks to their health from exposure to allergenic elements, improperly operated and/or inadequately maintained farm machinery, poor sanitation in the camps and fields, sub-standard and/or crowded housing, and the stress and long hours of work. These conditions lower resistence to common ailments and infectious disease (Coye, 1985; Dever 1991; Spielberg Benitez, 1983), and they increase the likelihood of musculoskeletal problems (Wilk, 1986) and stress-related disorders (Dever, 1991), such as adult-onset diabetes (Scheder, 1988). Along with these problems, public health officials recently have become aware that there also is a risk of HIV infection among farmworkers, that has the potential to increase, since AIDS cases are no less prevalent among migrant and seasonal farmworkers than among the general population (Castro, & Narkunas, 1989). It is noteworthy that in at least one state having large numbers of farmworkers prevalence rates for seropositivity are higher among migrant workers than other populations (Frees, Polkowski et al., 1992). Texas, California and Florida rank first, second and third in number of farmworkers. These three states also have more than one-third of the AIDS cases in the United States. Ranked 18th in cases of AIDS at the time of this study,[2] the state of Michigan ranks fifth in number of farmworkers behind the state of Washington[3] but "receives" more migrant and seasonal farmworkers than any other northern state. The states of Texas and Florida, along with Mexico, comprise the key sending communities for the migrants who work in Michigan and elsewhere in the Midwest (Choldin,& Trout, 1971). Originating from two states among the highest in cases of AIDS (Texas and Florida), migrants may have been exposed to the HIV virus prior to their arrival, or they become infected through the risk behaviors in which they may engage while in Michigan. Bletzer describes the ongoing strategies used to educate migrant
farmworkers about the risks of HIV infection as well as techniques
of prevention. The author also describes the many difficulties
inherent in reaching these laborers, most of whom understand
little English. Many of the techniques being implemented are
innovative and require careful evaluation for effectiveness.
Bletzer recommends that evaluations be conducted via ethnographic
techniques as that strategy allows for implementation and evaluation
to occur concurrently and for more rapid assessments of, and
modifications to, shortcomings in the ongoing HIV-education strategies. Hardcopy Price: $3.00
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