Background Alcohol consumption has been found to be associated with work-related
injuries among workers around the world, but this association has not well been studied
among agricultural workers in China.
Methods This population-based survey aimed to study the association between alcohol
use and work-related agricultural injury. Farmers in a northeastern province of China
were questioned about work-related injury in the past year (May 2007–April 2008),
alcohol use, farming practices, and sociodemographic factors. The Chi-square test and
logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the role of alcohol drinking in
agricultural injuries.
Results Among 2,050 farmers who completed the survey, the 12-month prevalence of workrelated
injury was 12.2%. The leading external cause of injury was exposure to mechanical force.
The odds of injury among farmers with past month drinking, who drank distilled spirits, and
reported intoxication were respectively 1.77 (95% CI¼ 1.27–2.47), 1.89 (95% CI¼ 1.35–
2.66), 2.12 (95% CI¼ 1.42–3.11). The odds of injury also significantly increased with greater
average amounts of pure alcohol per day, with increased frequency of drinking per week, and
with greater reported years of drinking. Each alcohol use variable was associated with injury in
logistic regression models while controlling for sex, age, years offarm work, months offarm work
in the past 12 months, driving a motor vehicle, and agricultural machinery use.
Conclusions We founda significant associationbetweenalcohol consumptionand work-related
injuries among farmers. Our findings stress the need for culturally appropriate interventions
which affect alcohol use and prevent injuries among Chinese farmers