ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to provide a formative needs assessment of Diné (Navajo) parents for the prevention of childhood injuries resulting from livestock and horses. The research objectives were to identify parents' perceived livestock and horse related injury risks to Diné children and describe Diné community stakeholder input on prevention interventions for reducing injury risks to children associated with livestock and horse related activities on farms or ranches. The assessment used a survey constructed of closed and open-response questions to gauge Diné farmers' and ranchers' perceptions of injury risks to children who live or work on agricultural operations. Additional questions were asked to gauge Diné acceptance of an online training program as a prevention intervention to reduce livestock and horse related injuries to children. A total of 96 individuals agreed to participate in the survey and provided usable responses. A total of 53.2% (f = 50) of participants were female. Sixty-three percent of participants (f = 58) perceived that youth who work with intact male livestock were at high risk for injury. A total of 25 individuals perceived that youth who ride horses without equestrian helmets were at high risk for injury. Approximately 96% (f = 89) of those surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that they would use an online training program to promote agricultural health and safety for Diné youth. When participants were asked if there were safety issues associated with having youth working on a farm or ranch, a very large portion felt that the biggest issue was a lack of education and instruction from elders. A recommendation for an injury prevention practice included developing a user-friendly online network, giving parents and community leaders access to resources to assist in educating youth in local agricultural traditions integrated with safety training.
Subject(s)
Accidents, Occupational/prevention & control , Agriculture , Indians, North American , Inservice Training/methods , Occupational Injuries/prevention & control , Animals , Cattle , Female , Head Protective Devices , Horses , Humans , Livestock , Male , Perception , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Social Media , Socioeconomic Factors , Southwestern United StatesABSTRACT
A 2 X 2 factorial experiment was conducted using growing lambs to compare single-level vs double-decked pens and high (.32 m2/lamb) vs low (.48 m2/lamb) densities. Three replicates of each treatment combination were involved using 30 lambs/pen. In the double-decked pens, an upper deck located over the rear section of the lower level provided one-third of the total floor area. Feed and water were provided on the lower level only and lambs could move freely between levels by means of a slatted ramp. All floors were of expanded metal. Use of the various areas of the pens was determined during a 24-h observation and by a videotape recording of the double-decked pens during the daylight hours. Fleece contamination was determined by visual observation and standard wool testing procedures. Gain was determined over the 8-wk period of each replicate. The high density treatment resulted in 1.5 kg/lamb (10%) less gain (P less than .01) and, in the case of double-decked pens, different patterns of space utilization compared with the low density treatment. Lambs in the low density pens were able to move more successfully from resting areas to the feeding area in the afternoon (P less than .01). The double-decked system did not significantly affect weight gain, but resulted in dirtier fleeces (P less than .01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
