Trends in Work-Related Fatal Farm Injuries, Saskatchewan, Canada: 2005-2019.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to estimate farm fatality rates and to describe patterns of fatal agricultural injuries on Saskatchewan farms from 2005 to 2019. METHODS: Data on work-related farm fatalities was collected from January 2005 to December 2019 in the Province of Saskatchewan as a part of the injury and mortality surveillance for the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR) program. Data were abstracted from records made available by the Provincial Coroner's Office. RESULTS: There were 166 farm work-related fatalities recorded between 2005 and 2019 in Saskatchewan. The majority (93.4%) of work-related fatalities were in males. The overall work-related fatality rate was 10.5 (95% CI: 8.9-12.1) per 100,000 farm population. The overall age-adjusted work-related fatality rate was 18.1 (95% CI: 15.2-20.9) per 100,000 farm population among males and 1.4 (95% CI: 0.6-2.3) per 100,000 farm population among females. Age-adjusted rate decreased from 91.2 (95% CI: 69.4-117.66) per 100,000 farm population in 2005-2009 to 89.7 (95% CI: 64.9-120.2) per 100,000 farm population in 2015-2019 in males. Trend analysis of the work-related fatality rate in all cases showed a non-significant average annual decline of 2.6% (p = 0.156). Rollover injuries contributed to a high proportion of fatalities in children (30.0%) and the elderly population (14.9%). The most common causative agent was a tractor, and the most common location of injury was the farmyard or field. CONCLUSION: The burden of mortality in this industry is still substantial. There was a non-significant decreasing trend in the injury rate over the 15-year period. Elderly farmers continue to be at high risk for fatality, while the rates for children have declined. Application of prevention approaches could reduce the risk of fatal injury, and in particular the high proportion of rollover injuries in children and the elderly population.

Interest In and Uptake of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): A Cross-Sectional Study of High-Risk Patients in Western Canada.

Rationale Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective, evidence-based HIV prevention strategy. However, its use in the city of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan province of western Canada, is relatively new. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the interest and uptake of PrEP and investigate factors associated with HIV PrEP by high-risk patients. Methods  A cross-sectional, self-administered survey of patients attending Saskatoon's Public Health Services Sexual Health Clinic was conducted from October until December 2018. The primary outcome was the interest in taking PrEP to reduce the risk of HIV infection. This outcome was evaluated for its association with potential correlates, which included: sociodemographic characteristics, HIV risk perception, prior PrEP awareness, and sexual behaviors/lifestyles. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were used to pursue our research objectives. Results One hundred forty-one participants were recruited from a sexual health clinic in Saskatoon. The median age (interquartile range) was 26 (22-31) years. The median number of partners (interquartile range) was 3 (2-4) partners. A total of 66.0% of participants were unaware of PrEP, and almost half ( 49.6%) indicated an interest in taking PrEP. Among those disinterested in PrEP, 49.3% perceived minimal HIV risk, 35.2% expressed concern regarding side effects, 28.1% cited the added need for condom use, 23.9% indicated incomplete effectiveness, and 22.5% did not wish to undergo regular bloodwork. Multivariate analysis showed that interested patients were more likely to have been previously aware of PrEP (OR: 2.6, p-value = 0.03), perceived themselves to be vulnerable to HIV (OR: 15.7, p = <0.0001), or were unsure about their risk (OR: 3.9, p = 0.001). Conclusion This study suggests that a lack of knowledge regarding personal HIV risk and PrEP as a preventive option may influence PrEP interest. There lies a need for more health promotion campaigns around the health benefits of PrEP, including literacy efforts on HIV risk, concerns around side effects, and associated blood work with PrEP use.