Reaching Latino Farmworkers with On-Site Screening for Diabetes and Hypertension

Abstract

Background: In the U.S., 29% of Latinos aged 20 or older are diagnosed with hypertension and 12.1% aged 18 or older have diabetes. This increases their risk for other acute and chronic diseases, but their limited healthcare access can leave these issues unmanaged. The purpose of this study was to provide on-site screening to Latino farmworkers for diabetes mellitus and hypertension and determine whether a relationship exists between pre- and post-shift levels of glucosuria and proteinuria with environmental heat stress. Methods: This study was part of a larger sequential exploratory mixed method, community-informed research design. In collaboration with staff at a federally qualified health center in eastern NC we recruited a convenience sample of 31 male, migrant, Latino farmworkers. Pre-shift and post-shift clean catch urine specimens were collected on-site and glucosuria and proteinuria were measured using reagent strips. Environmental heat stress was measured using a heat stress monitor on-site. Non-parametric analyses were done using SPSS v 27. Results: Sixteen percent of the farmworkers screened had trace or 1+ protein in their pre-shift specimen and 70% had trace, 1+, or 2+ protein in their post-shift specimen. There was a significant (p<.01) change in the proportion of proteinuria over a worked shift; however, there was no significant difference in the environmental heat stress measures of those with or without proteinuria. One participant had 4+ glucosuria. Discussion: The incidence of post-shift proteinuria suggests concerns related to unhealthy workplace conditions, such as poor hydration and extreme environmental heat stress. As primary sources of health information, nurses could disseminate accurate Spanish/English literature on the importance of hydration, rest, and shade during extreme weather conditions to both farmworkers and employers to mitigate acute and chronic kidney disease.