Depression and disability in seasonal and migrant Hispanic agricultural workers.

Objective: To examine the relationship between depression and disability in seasonal and migrant Hispanic agricultural workers.

Methods: A total of 315 adult Hispanic agricultural workers living in northwest farmworker housing were interviewed to diagnose major and minor depression and assess disability. Statistical analysis determined demographic and clinical factors significantly related to a diagnosis of depression and examined the association between depression and disability.

Building informed consent for cholinesterase monitoring among pesticide handlers in Washington State.

Background: Pesticide handlers in Washington State are predominantly Mexican and, therefore, require a culturally appropriate process of informed consent. In addition, members of this occupational group are vulnerable to coercion because of poverty, lack of insurance, inability to read, and employment status

Methods: To create a process of culturally competent informed consent for Washington State's cholinesterase monitoring program, we used focus groups to collect data about cultural beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, language, and traditions of Mexican-American pesticide handlers. With this information, we developed a final consent form and evaluated it using a 10-item test-retest questionnaire in a sample of 103 handlers.

An audiotaped mental health evaluation tool for Hispanic immigrants with a range of literacy levels.

Debilitating mental illness is treatable if found. There is no validated self-administered mental illness evaluation tool for immigrant Hispanic farm workers with variable literacy levels. This study tested sensitivity and specificity of an audiotaped survey developed for low literacy levels compared with standard interview instruments.