Occupational Exposures and Migration Factors Associated With Respiratory Health in California Latino Farm Workers: The MICASA Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate associations of agricultural work and migration on self-reported respiratory symptoms in a Latino farm worker sample. METHODS: Work history and respiratory symptoms were assessed in 702 workers through interviews in a community-based cohort. RESULTS: Prevalence was 6% for asthma, 5% for chronic cough, 3% for chronic bronchitis, and 7% for persistent wheeze. The total number of years in agriculture was associated with asthma; however, time-weighted average dust exposure, use of protective equipment, and pesticide use in the past 12 months were not associated with respiratory outcomes. Living 15 years or more in the United States (adjusted odds ratio = 3.60; 95% confidence interval = 1.16 to 11.16) and medium/high acculturation (adjusted odds ratio = 6.06; 95% confidence interval = 1.40 to 26.29) were associated with increased odds of asthma in women. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of this community-based Latino farm worker cohort identified associations with asthma, particularly with migration factors in women.