Description
Workers in agriculture represent about one-quarter of all workers in the world. Agriculture embodies the essential human activity of producing food. Working in agriculture can be rewarding, but it can be challenging as well and even hazardous. For this reason, there is an urgent need to provide high-quality basic health care for all workers in agriculture.
The focus is on health and safety problems due to working in agriculture. The book is intended for doctors, nurses, hygienists, community health workers, and volunteers active in primary, community, and occupational health care. The book is useful for students as well. Basic medical background is helpful as medical terms could not be avoided. The authors tried to explain technical terms where possible.
Evidence-based information and tools are presented on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat health problems caused by work in agriculture. The emphasis is on conditions in low and middle-income countries. The approach is in line with the concept of Basic Occupational Health Services (BOHS) which should be available for all workers.
Maarten Verberk and Frank van Dijk wrote this book collaborating with a team of LDOH experts. Positive comments on the prefinal version and suggestions for improvement were given by experts from all over the world.
Corresponding lessons to be used in blended education are in development. We think of a freely available interactive course of three days. But the lessons can be offered separately as well. When a course will be prepared, the organizers may want to adapt parts of the text to the local situation.
