Risk factors for low back injury among farmers in Iowa: A case-control study nested in the agricultural health study

The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for low back injury requiring medical advice or treatment among Iowa farmers. Although farmers are at risk for low back injury, few studies have addressed risk factors for farm work-related low back injury. We screened 6999 participants in the Iowa portion of the Agricultural Health Study to identify 49 male farmers who reported farm work-related low back injury requiring medical advice or treatment in the previous year. We compared them with 465 uninjured male farmer controls. Multivariable modeling identified four risk factors significantly associated with low back injury: age less than 45 years (OR = 3.32; 95% CI 1.75-6.20), doctor-diagnosed asthma (OR = 4.26; 95% CI 1.49-12.10), education beyond high school (OR = 2.12; 95% CI 1.13-3.90), and difficulty hearing normal conversation (even with a hearing aid, in the case of those using one) (OR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.02-3.80). Although hearing difficulty may be a general risk factor for occupational injury, asthma may be a more specific risk factor for low back injury. Future research to assess the risk factors, asthma and difficulty hearing, may be particularly important, since farmers are at increased risk for hearing loss, and farmers come into contact with many inhaled agents that can cause asthma.     

Risk Factors for Animal-related Injury Among lowa Large-livestock Farmers: A Case-control Study Nested in the Agricultural Health Study

CONTEXT: Although farmers are at risk for injuries from contact with large livestock, few previous studies have examined risk factors for animal-related injuries. PURPOSE: This case-control study, nested in the Agricultural Health Study, aimed to assess risk factors for animal-related injury among Iowa large-livestock farmers. METHODS: A screener questionnaire sent to 6999 farmers identified 116 farmers with large livestock who had an animal-related injury requiring medical advice/treatment in the previous year. Several possible risk factors for injury were assessed by comparing these farmers with 342 farmers who had livestock but were not injured in the previous year. FINDINGS: A multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between animal-related injury and the use of a hearing aid (odds ratio [OR] = 5.4 [95% CI, 1.6 to 18.0]), doctor-diagnosed arthritis or rheumatism (OR = 3.0 [95% CI, 1.7 to 5.2]), education beyond high school (OR = 1.8 [95% CI, 1.1 to 2.8]), and a younger age. Farmers engaged in off-farm work were less likely to sustain animal-related injuries (OR = 0.4 [95% CI, 0.2 to 0.8]). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show associations between animal-related injury and a younger age, hearing difficulties, and doctor-diagnosed arthritis. Hearing loss and arthritis, which are more common among farmers than among other workers, may be particularly important risk factors to address in future preventive studies.     

Risk factors for machinery-related injury among Iowa farmers: a case-control study nested in the Agricultural Health Study

Farm machinery is a major cause of injury morbidity and mortality among farmers. This case-control study assessed risk factors for machinery-related injuries among Iowa farmers. A screener questionnaire sent to 6,999 farmers in 1998 identified 205 farmers who had machinery-related injuries requiring medical advice/treatment in the previous year. Possible risk factors for injury were assessed among these farmers compared with 473 farmers with no injury in the previous year. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between machinery-related injury and hours per week spent on farmwork (OR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.38-2.94), fewer years of farming experience (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.14-2.79), wearing a hearing aid (OR = 4.37; 95% CI 1.55-12.25), and a high CAGE score suggesting problem drinking (OR = 2.49; 95% CI 1.00-6.19). This is the first study to show associations between machinery-related injury and hearing impairment, problem drinking, and fewer years of farming experience. These findings may be useful for future interventions to decrease injuries related to farm machinery.     

Risk Factors for Machinery-related Injury among Iowa Farmers: A Case-Control Study Nested in the Agricultural Health Study

Abstract

Farm machinery is a major cause of injury morbidity and mortality among farmers. This case-control study assessed risk factors for machinery-related injuries among Iowa farmers. A screener questionnaire sent to 6,999 farmers in 1998 identified 205 farmers who had machinery-related injuries requiring medical advice/treatment in the previous year. Possible risk factors for injury were assessed among these farmers compared with 473 farmers with no injury in the previous year. A multiple logistic regression analysis showed significant associations between machinery-related injury and hours per week spent on farmwork (OR = 2.02; 95% CI 1.38–2.94), fewer years of farming experience (OR = 1.79; 95% CI 1.14–2.79), wearing a hearing aid (OR = 4.37; 95% CI 1.55–12.25), and a high CAGE score suggesting problem drinking (OR = 2.49; 95% CI 1.00–6.19). This is the first study to show associations between machinery-related injury and hearing impairment, problem drinking, and fewer years of farming experience. These findings may be useful for future interventions to decrease injuries related to farm machinery.     

2018年中国因跌倒/坠落就诊患者损伤严重程度及影响因素

  目的  了解中国因跌倒/坠落就诊病例流行特征和影响损伤严重程度的因素,为制定跌倒/坠落防控措施、政策提供依据。  方法  通过提取2018年中国伤害监测系统（national injury surveillance system,NISS）中跌倒/坠落病例数据,描述其流行特征,采用多因素Logistic回归分析模型分析损伤严重程度影响因素。  结果  共收集跌倒/坠落病例500 621例。损伤严重程度以轻度为主（76.00%）,中、重度损伤所占比例为24.00%。单因素分析显示,性别、年龄、城乡、发生季节、发生时段、发生地点、发生时活动、发生前饮酒情况的跌倒/坠落病例损伤严重程度差异具有统计学意义（均有P＜0.001）。多因素分析显示,男性（OR=1.056,95% CI:1.041~1.071）;年龄为5~岁（OR=1.412,95% CI:1.366~1.460）、15~岁（OR=1.382,95% CI:1.337~1.427）、30~岁（OR=1.844,95% CI:1.787~1.903）、45~岁（OR=2.746,95% CI:2.666~2.829）、≥65岁（OR=4.524,95% CI:4.390~4.663）;夏季（OR=1.097,95% CI:1.077~1.118）、秋季（OR=1.110,95% CI:1.089~1.131）、冬季（OR=1.137,95% CI:1.116~1.159）;地点为家中（OR=1.169,95% CI:1.143~1.196）、学校与公共场所（OR=1.102,95% CI:1.069~1.136）、体育和运动场所（OR=1.066,95% CI:1.016~1.119）、工业和建筑场所（OR=1.800,95% CI:1.727~1.877）、农场/农田（OR=1.257,95% CI:1.196~1.320）;活动为步行（OR=1.084,95% CI:1.045~1.126）;发生前饮酒（OR=1.318,95% CI:1.257~1.381）是中重度损伤的危险因素。  结论  中国因跌倒/坠落就诊患者中重度损伤占一定比例,且影响因素较多,相关部门应开展针对性的防控工作。     

Risk factors for proximal humerus fracture

This case-control study of proximal humerus fracture included 448 incident female and male cases and 2,023 controls aged 45 years or older identified in five Northern California Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers in 1996-2001. Data were collected by using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Some factors related to low bone mass, including number of fractures since age 45 years and low dietary calcium intake, were associated with increased risks of fracture, and factors thought to protect against bone loss, such as menopausal hormone therapy and calcium carbonate tablet use, were associated with reduced risks. Fall-related risk factors included previous falls, diabetes mellitus, and difficulty walking in dim light. Possible fall-related risk factors suggested for the first time in this study were seizure medication use (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.80, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45, 5.42), depression (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.84), almost always using a hearing aid (OR = 1.92, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.31 vs. never prescribed), and left-handedness (OR = 2.36, 95% CI: 1.51, 3.68 vs. right-handedness). Difficulty with activities of daily living and lack of physical activity tended to be associated with increased risk. Prevention of falls among frail, osteoporotic persons would likely reduce the frequency of proximal humerus fracture.     

Circumstances of patient falls and injuries in 9 hospitals in a midwestern healthcare system.

OBJECTIVE: Preventing hospital falls and injuries requires knowledge of fall and injury circumstances. Our objectives were to determine whether reported fall circumstances differ among hospitals and to identify predictors of fall-related injury. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. Adverse event data on falls were compared according to hospital characteristics. Logistic regression was used to determine adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for risk factors for fall-related injury. SETTING: Nine hospitals in a Midwestern healthcare system. PATIENTS: Inpatients who fell during 2001-2003. RESULTS: The 9 hospitals reported 8,974 falls that occurred in patient care areas, involving 7,082 patients; 7,082 falls were included in our analysis. Assisted falls (which accounted for 13.3% of falls in the academic hospital and 9.8% of falls in the nonacademic hospitals; P<.001) and serious fall-related injuries (which accounted for 3.7% of fall-related injuries in the academic hospital and 2.2% of fall-related injuries in the nonacademic hospitals; P<.001) differed by hospital type. In multivariate analysis for the academic hospital, increased age (aOR, 1.006 [95% CI, 1.000-1.012]), falls in locations other than patient rooms (aOR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.03-2.27]), and unassisted falls (aOR, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.23-2.36]) were associated with increased injury risk. Altered mental status was associated with a decreased injury risk (aOR, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.58-0.89]). In multivariate analysis for the nonacademic hospitals, increased age (aOR, 1.007 [95% CI, 1.002-1.013]), falls in the bathroom (aOR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.06-2.01]), and unassisted falls (aOR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.37-2.43]) were associated with injury. Female sex (aOR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.71-0.97]) was associated with a decreased risk of injury. CONCLUSION: Some fall characteristics differed by hospital type. Further research is necessary to determine whether differences reflect true differences or merely differences in reporting practices. Fall prevention programs should target falls involving older patients, unassisted falls, and falls that occur in the patient's bathroom and in patient care areas outside of the patient's room to reduce injuries.     

Risk factors for musculoskeletal symptoms among crawfish farmers in Louisiana--a pilot study

The prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) among crawfish farmers is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of MSS in nine body regions among crawfish farmers, and to examine associations between MSS and crawfish farm work activities. Questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected crawfish farmers in the State of Louisiana, USA. Site-specific MSS, demographics, and crawfish farm work information was obtained from the previous six months. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated with logistic regression adjusting for potential confounders. Among the participants (N = 184), shoulder MSS were reported most frequently (62%). Wrist/hand and low back MSS were significantly associated with tractor use (OR(adj) = 2.89; 95% CI = 1.28-6.56) and (OR(adj) = 2.41; 95% CI = 1.03-5.67), respectively. Also, upper back MSS were associated with the number of years working on a crawfish farm (OR(adj) = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.17-8.04). Shoulder and low back MSS were common. Tractor use may increase the risk of wrist/hand and low back MSS. Future studies need accurately assess exposures to physical risk factors for MSS so ergonomic interventions can be developed.     

Pain, medication, and injury in older farmers

BACKGROUND: Agricultural work continues to be a dangerous occupation. Older farmers experience high risks for work-related injury. The purpose of this research was to determine if there is a relationship between medication use and injury among older male farmers in Alberta. METHODS: Using probabilistic linkage between an Alberta Agriculture government registry of farm operators and the Alberta Health Plan registry file, older farmers (aged 66 and older) were identified. Farm related injuries were identified using an E-code search of both hospitalization and emergency department separations for a 3-year period. Cases were matched to controls on age, geographic health region, and index injury date at a ratio of 1:5. Co-morbidity and medication use for each of the cases and controls were derived from population based health system utilization files. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine which medications were related to injury. RESULTS: Overall, a total of 282 farm related injuries were suffered by the linked group. Controlling for co-morbidity, farmers who had stopped taking narcotic pain killers (OR = 9.37 [95% CI:4.95, 17.72]) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (OR = 2.40 [95% CI:1.43, 4.03]) 30 days prior to the date of injury were at risk of injury. Those farmers taking sedatives up until the date of injury were also at risk (OR = 3.01 [95 CI:1.39, 6.52]). In addition, those suffering from incontinence/urinary tract disorders (OR = 2.95 [95% CI:1.30, 6.71]), and prior injury (OR = 1.42 [95% CI:1.04, 1.95]) were also at greater risk of injury. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of medication use and injury in this population is different from those observed in studies of falls in older persons. We hypothesize that distraction from either pain or co-morbidity may play an important role in the etiology of injuries suffered in this active older working population. Further investigations in this area are required to confirm these findings.     

中国老年人不同严重程度跌倒风险与慢性病和睡眠的关联研究

目的 探索老年人慢性疾病和睡眠状况与不同严重程度跌倒风险之间的关联,为老年人跌倒所致伤害的预防和干预提供线索.方法 采用病例对照研究发生风险,以"中国健康与养老追踪调查项目"数据为基础,利用2011-2015年抽样调查数据,运用多因素Logistic回归分析模型分析慢性疾病和睡眠的暴露与中国老年人普通跌倒和跌倒就医发生...     

Health Risk Factors Among Iowa Farmers

This study compares the prevalence of the health risk factors for chronic disease and injury among farmers with their prevalence among other workers, using data from the Iowa Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. From January 1999 to December 1999, there were 3,620 adults who participated in the survey. This report focuses on the 2,140 subjects who reported they were working. We calculated the percentage with each health risk factor, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) and the associated 95% confidence interval (CI), comparing the prevalence of health risks among farmers and other workers. Most health conditions and risk factors were similar among farmers and other workers. However, we found that farmers had some protective behaviors. They had better oral health (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.20-0.57) and were less likely to smoke (OR = 0.14, 95% CI 0.06-0.29) than other workers. In contrast, we found that farmers reported some high-risk behaviors compared to other workers. They were less likely to have smoke detectors at home (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.82), or to have had stool blood screening for colorectal cancer (OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.1 7-1.00). These results suggest areas for future research to define targeted preventive interventions in farm communities.     

寿光市大棚劳动者膝关节肌肉骨骼疾患患病情况及其影响因素研究

目的 了解寿光市大棚劳动者膝关节肌肉骨骼疾患的患病情况,分析肌肉骨骼疾患相关影响因素。方法 选择山东省寿光市五个蔬菜大棚种植区15个村庄至少从事一年劳动的蔬菜大棚劳动者进行面对面调查,分析膝关节肌肉骨骼疾患的发生和影响因素。结果 共纳入研究对象1 780人,大棚劳动者膝关节肌肉骨骼疾患的患病率为41.9%。单因素Logistic回归分析发现共48个因素与大棚劳动者膝关节疾病的发生有关;多因素Logistic回归分析提示,女性（OR=1.795,95% CI:1.433~2.249）、年龄≥50岁（OR=1.635,95% CI:1.271~2.105）、BMI≥24 kg/m2（OR=1.445,95% CI:1.151~1.814）、种植年数≥20年（OR=1.767,95% CI:1.368~2.282）、长时间跪着工作（OR=1.616,95% CI:1.207~2.165）、长时间走动工作（OR=1.967,95% CI:1.290~3.000）、以不舒服的姿势搬举重物 （OR=1.421,95% CI:1.116~1.809）、稍微弯腰（OR=2.084,95% CI:1.427~3.045）、大幅度转身（OR=1.291,95% CI:1.002~1.663）、头部重复弯曲扭转（OR=1.565,95% CI:1.187~2.063）、常被迫弯腰（OR=1.245,95% CI:0.979~1.584）会增加膝关节疾病发生的风险。结论 大棚劳动者膝关节肌肉骨骼疾患的患病率较高,亟待采取合理的预防和控制措施来减少大棚劳动者膝关节肌肉骨骼疾患的发生。     

Patterns and predictors of inpatient falls and fall-related injuries in a large academic hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Most research on hospital falls has focused on predictors of falling, whereas less is known about predictors of serious fall-related injury. Our objectives were to characterize inpatients who fall and to determine predictors of serious fall-related injury. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study of 1,082 patients who fell (1,235 falls) during January 2001 to June 2002 at an urban academic hospital. Multivariate analysis of potential risk factors for serious fall-related injury (vs no or minor injury) included in the hospital's adverse event reporting database was conducted with logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI95) RESULTS: The median age of patients who fell was 62 years (interquartile range, 49-77 years), 50% were women, and 20% were confused. The hospital fall rate was 3.1 falls per 1,000 patient-days, which varied by service from 0.86 (women and infants) to 6.36 (oncology). Some (6.1%) of the falls resulted in serious injury, ranging by service from 3.1% (women and infants) to 10.9% (psychiatry). The most common serious fall-related injuries were bleeding or laceration (53.6%), fracture or dislocation (15.9%), and hematoma or contusion (13%). Patients 75 years or older (aOR, 3.2; CI95, 1.3-8.1) and those on the geriatric psychiatry floor (aOR, 2.8; CI95, 1.3-6.0) were more likely to sustain serious fall-related injuries. CONCLUSIONS: There is considerable variation in fall rates and fall-related injury percentages by service. More detailed studies should be conducted by floor or service to identify predictors of serious fall-related injury so that targeted interventions can be developed to reduce them.     

Agricultural injuries among older Kentucky farmers: The farm family health and hazard surveillance study

This population-based study reports the cumulative incidence of agricultural injuries during a 1-year period in a sample of 998 farmers aged 55 years and older living in Kentucky. A total of 98 farm-related injuries were reported among 88 older farmers for a crude injury rate of 9.03 injured farmers per 100 farmers (95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.03–11.03) over a 1-year period. The leading external causes of farm injury were falls (24.9%), machinery (22.5%), wood-cutting (14.6%), and animal-related events (14.3%). Farmers working on farms with beef cattle (alone) (odds ratio = 1.90; 95% CI = 1.02–3.55) or farms with beef cattle and tobacco (odds ratio = 2.15; 95% CI = 1.00–4.59) had a statistically significant increased risk for a farm-related injury. Farmers reporting a prior injury that limited their ability to farm were at increased risk for a farm-related injury. Approaches to using farm injury surveillance data for injury control programs in the state are discussed. Am. J. Ind. Med. 33:341–353, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Agricultural injuries among a population-based sample of farm operators in Alabama

A population-based study of the occurrence of agricultural injuries during the previous year was conducted in a simple random sample of 1,000 farm operators in Alabama in 1991. The participation rate was 86.2%. The cumulative 1-year incidence was 9.9% (95% CI = 7.7–12.1), based on the number of injuries, and 7.8% (95% CI = 5.8–9.8), based on the number of farmers injured. Limbs were the body parts most frequently injured: fingers (10.7%), hands or wrists (10.7%), and legs (8.9%). The leading external causes were machinery (28.6%), falls (23.2%), and animals (12.5%). There was a higher injury frequency at the end of the week, with a Saturday peak. Seasonal pattern of injury displayed a bimodal curve, one peak in spring, and a higher peak in early fall in September. The most risky farm types were forestry and dairy. The factors predictive of increased injury risk in multiple logistic regression included younger age, farm ownership, greater percent of working time spent on farming, more alcohol consumed, and prior residual injury. The results provide some indications for formulating agricultural injury control programs and for future research. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Wearing slippers, falls and injury in residential care

BACKGROUND: Risk factor studies for falls in residential care have not included factors related to the facilities themselves. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for falls and injury related to the individual and the facility. METHOD: Cohort study with 1 to 17 months of followup. SETTING: A random sample of 14 residential care homes in Auckland, New Zealand. SUBJECTS: All residents were approached and 606 (97%) participated, mean (SD) age was 83 (11) years. 114 (19%) residents died and 64 (11%) were transferred. MEASURES: Rate of falls and injurious falls per resident year were measured. RESULTS: The mean rate of falls and injurious falls was 2.75 and 1.75 per resident year respectively. Factors independently associated with increased falls included: increased mobility (IRR 1.25; 95% CI 1.14-1.37), and less problematic behaviours (IRR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.17), while unexpectedly digoxin use (IRR 0.56, 95% CI 0.33-0.97) was associated with decreased falls. Factors associated with increased risk of injury included being born in the UK (IRR 2.89, 95% CI 1.24-7.19) and being more mobile (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06-1.25), whereas wearing soft-soled shoes compared with slippers (IRR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28-0.90) and unexpectedly visual impairment (IRR 0.52, 95% CI 0.33-0.80) was associated with decreased injury. No significant factors related to the facility were identified. CONCLUSION: Falls are frequent in residential care facilities and risk factors related to footwear are potentially reversible. IMPLICATIONS: Residents should be encouraged to wear shoes rather than slippers.     

#65 Medication use,co-morbidity and injury in older male farmers

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to determine if there is a potentially causal relationship between medication use and injury among older male farmers in Alberta.METHODS: Using probabilistic linkage between an Alberta Agriculture government registry of farm operators and the Alberta Health Plan registry file, older farmers (aged 66 and older) were identified. Farm related injuries were identified using an E-code search of both hospitalization and emergency department separations for a 3-year period. Cases were matched to controls on age, geographic health region, and index injury date at a ratio of 5:1. Co-morbidity and medication use for each of the cases and controls were derived from population based health system utilization files. Conditional logistic regression was used to determine which medications were related to injury.RESULTS: Over a 3-year period, a total of 282 farm related injuries were suffered by the linked group. Controlling for co-morbidity, farmers who had stopped taking narcotic pain killers (OR = 9.85[95%CI:5.14,18.86]) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (OR = 2.36[95%CI:1.40,3.98]) 30 days prior to the date of injury were at increased risk. Those farmers taking sedatives and hypnotics right up until the date of injury were also at increased risk (OR = 3.12[95CI:1.41,6.89]).. In addition, those suffering from incontinence (OR = 3.71[95%CI:1.60,8.59]) and osteoporosis (OR = 4.78[95%CI:1.34,16.99]) were also at increased risk.CONCLUSION: The relationship of medication use and injury in this population is different from those observed in studies of falls in older persons. These data indicate that distraction from either pain or co-morbidity may play a factor in injuries suffered in this active older working population.     

Effect of Preexisting Musculoskeletal Diseases on the 1-Year Incidence of Fall-related Injuries

Objectives

People who have chronic diseases, as well as gait imbalance or psychiatric drug use, may be susceptible to injuries from falls and slips. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of musculoskeletal diseases on incidental fall-related injuries among adults in Korea.

Methods

We analyzed data from the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2009), which are national data obtained by a rolling survey sampling method. The 1-year incidence of fall-related injuries was defined by health service utilization within the last year due to injury occurring after a slip and fall, and musculoskeletal diseases included osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, and back pain. To evaluate the effects of preexisting musculoskeletal diseases, adults diagnosed before the last year were considered the exposed group, and adults who had never been diagnosed were the unexposed group.

Results

The weighted lifetime prevalence of musculoskeletal disease was 32 540 per 100 000 persons. Musculoskeletal diseases were associated with a higher risk of fall-related injury after adjustment for sex, age, residence, household income, education, occupation, visual disturbance, paralysis due to stroke, and medication for depression (odds ratio [OR], 1.41; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 1.93). As the number of comorbid musculoskeletal diseases increased, the risk of fall-induced injuries increased (p-value for trend <0.001). In particular, patients who had any musculoskeletal condition were at much higher risk of recurrent fall-related injuries (OR, 6.20; 95% CI, 1.06 to 36.08).

Conclusions

One must take into account the risk of fall-related injuries and provide prevention strategies among adults who have musculoskeletal diseases.     

Fall-related occupational injuries on farms

We assessed risk factors for fall-related farm injuries in a population-based, case-control study. Cases had to reside in a defined geographic region served by a single medical center. Multiple sources reported cases, and a special farm census enabled random selection of controls. The annual risk of farm fall injury was 7.5 (95% CI: 5.7, 10.0) per 1,000 person-years. The crude incidence rate was higher in men, while the rate based on hours of farmwork was higher in women. In a multivariate analysis of risk factors, three factors were significantly associated with the risk. The risk of fall injury increased 2% (95% CI: 1%, 4%) per hour worked. Residents of farms with some farm workers not living on the farm had a fall injury rate 2.5 (95% CI: 1.0, 6.2) times greater than residents of other farms. Residents of farms with registered cows had one-third (95% CI: 0.14, 0.93) the risk of residents of other farms. To identify environmental hazards for fall injuries, researchers from several disciplines may need to collaborate in the design and conduct of studies that include injury site investigations. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.