Geðheilsa og líðan íslenskra bænda

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Some studies have suggest increased prevalence of mental health problems in farmers while others suggest, they are less common. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of mental health problems in Icelandic animal farmers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross sectional study of all animal farmers in Iceland (response rate 54%, 1021) with an age matched comparison group (response rate 46%, 637). Psychiatric health was evaluated with General Health Questionnaire-12 and CAGE. Work conditions were studied with eight questions from the General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work. RESULTS: Farmers were less commonly alcohol consumers. The prevalence of mental health problems among farmers was 17 % while it was 22 % among non-farmers. According to CAGE 16% of male nonfarmers versus 11 % of farmers (p<0,032) had alcohol problems. There was no difference for females. Male farmers less commonly sought medical attention than non-farmers for anxiety, alcoholism and drug abuse. Farmers more often felt that their work was challenging in a positive way and also that work tasks were too complicated. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health disturbances were less common in animal farmers. Educating farmers on work related issues might be important in improving the farming environment.

Tilgangur: Rannsóknir sem lúta að heilsufari bænda hafa verið misvísandi hvað varðar andlega vanheilsu og algengi geðsjúkdóma. Markmið með þessari rannsókn var að meta geðheilsu og líðan íslenskra bænda borið saman við úrtak þjóðarinnar. Efniviður og aðferðir: Rannsóknin er þversniðsrannsókn á öllum fjár- og kúabændum á Íslandi (svarhlutfall 54%, N =1021) borið saman úrtak úr almennu þýði (svarhlutfall 46%, 637). Geðheilsa var metin með General Health Questionnaire-12 og CAGE-spurningalistunum. Vinnuumhverfi var metið með spurningum úr „General Nordic Questionnaire for Psychological and Social Factors at Work“. Niðurstöður: Bændur notuðu síður áfengi en almenningur. Algengi geðsjúkdóma meðal bænda samkvæmt GHQ-12 var 17% en meðal almennings 22%. Samkvæmt CAGE áttu 16% karla borið saman við 11% karlbænda (p< 0,032) við áfengisvanda að etja. Karlkyns bændur sóttu síður hjálp en kynbræður þeirra vegna kvíða, og áfengis- og vímuefnanotkunar. Bændur töldu verkefni sín oftar skemmtilega krefjandi en almenningur en samtímis töldu þeir verkefni sín oftar of erfið fyrir sig. Ályktun: Bændur hafa minni merki um andlega vanheilsu en úrtak fólks úr samfélaginu. Þeir leita síður hjálpar vegna geðheilsu sinnar. Vinnuumhverfi bænda er erfitt og krefjandi og virðist því brýnt að auka þekkingu á því hvernig bæta megi vinnuumhverfi þeirra.