The use of personal protective equipment in pregnant greenhouse workers

AIM: To determine the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) among pregnant greenhouse workers in Italy and to identify risk factors related to the non-use of appropriate preventive measures. METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered by trained interviewers, to Italian female greenhouse workers regarding their use of PPE and the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in their first pregnancy. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-two workers participated. Although most pregnant women used at least one form of PPE while working, there were differences in PPE use in different social groups. Overall, the protection was inadequate in the south of Italy and among the less educated. Pregnant women performing the most dangerous jobs often did so without using PPE. Even the use of gloves was absent in 50% of pregnant women who during their pregnancy prepared and mixed pesticides, and among 38% of those who applied pesticides directly. CONCLUSIONS: The use of protective measures was inadequate in the south of Italy and among less educated women. The study indicates the need for urgent interventions aimed at improving PPE use during pregnancy.