The Health Needs of Black Agricultural Workers in Mid-Delta Mississippi

A study aimed at identifying the health needs & sociomedical problems of agricultural workers in Miss is described, based on questionnaire data from the heads of 170 randomly selected black households in Leflore County. Questions focused on housing conditions & facilities, & on knowledge of health hazards associated with family habits & with the use of pesticides. The results indicate that indoor pollution existed in 50+% of the homes, & many lacked adequate ventilation. Understanding of the relation of environmental hygiene & health was lacking: although most of the Rs knew that drinking polluted water could result in illness, they were ignorant of disease acquired through indiscriminate defecation. Also, knowledge of the hazards of pesticides was poor, & 33% received health care from faith healers. It is concluded that improved housing, health education, health care, & environmental sanitation are needed. 4 Tables. K. Carande