Resilience of Farm Women Working the Third Shift

Background: We examined physical health and work experiences in a Saskatchewan population of farm women, and determined how participation in the “third shift” (a phenomenon where women engage in off-farm employment, farm labor, and as homemakers) relates to their demographic, physical health, and work experiences. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study. Reports from 980 women who lived or worked on Saskatchewan farms were analyzed to describe their health status, comorbidities, use of medications, and exposures to farm work. Regression models were used to explore determinants of participation in the third shift. Results: Two hundred and sixteen were women [22.0%] engaged in the “third shift”, and these women consistently reported significantly longer mechanized and non-mechanized farm work hours. Compared to women not involved in the third shift, participants in the third shift were more likely to be: 41–50 years of age [OR_Adj 2.06 (1.12, 3.77)], and involved in beef cattle production [OR_Adj 1.62 (1.05–2.49)], large animal chores [OR_Adj 1.66 (1.04–2.66)], use of shovels/pitchforks [OR_Adj 1.67 (1.08–2.57)], combine operation [OR_Adj 1.72 (1.08–2.74)], and have higher levels of education [e.g., OR_Adj 0.46 (0.29–0.72) for high school or less]. Descriptively, reduced engagement in the third shift was associated with “fair or poor” health status [OR_Crude 0.32 (0.14–0.76)] and more co-morbidities [e.g., OR_Crude 0.50 (0.33, 0.75) for 2 or more versus none reported]. Conclusion: This study found that farm women often report high levels of work, including engagement in the third shift. Women engaged in the third shift are also generally healthier than non-engaged women, consistent with a healthy worker effect.