Non-fatal animal related injuries to youth occurring on farms in the United States, 1998

Abstract

Objective - To provide data on the magnitude and patterns of animal related on-farm injuries to youth in the United States. Data source - A survey of 26 000 farm households conducted for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1998. Subjects - Youth younger than 20 years of age. Results - There were an estimated 6438 animal related on-farm injuries to youth in 1998. 70% occurred to farm residents; 69% were work related. Males accounted for 64% and approximately 41% occurred to those younger than 10; 37% involved horses and 31% cattle. Most horse related injuries occurred to females and a majority of the cattle related injuries were to males. Additionally, most of the cattle related injuries were work related, while horse related injuries were mainly non-work. Conclusions - One out of every five youth injuries occurring on farms in the United States is animal related. These animal related injuries were due to both work and non-work related exposures. The large number of horse and cattle related injuries highlights a need for intervention strategies based on the injury circumstances common to these animals.