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Affiliation
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College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University , Norfolk , Virginia , USA. |
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Abstract
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INTRODUCTION: Rural communities, especially farmers, are exposed to numerous concerns and stressors due to their type of occupation. The present study aimed at evaluating and prioritizing occupational stressors that cause dissatisfaction among farmers using Fuzzy Delphi Method and Fuzzy analytic hierarchy process.
METHODS: This qualitative applied research was conducted in two phases. First, the most important occupational stressors among farmers were extracted and screened by Fuzzy Delphi technique. In the second phase, Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP) was used to weigh and rank the stressors. Finally, data was analyzed using Chang's Extent Analysis method and Excel software.
RESULTS: Dimensions of stressors in farmers are ranked as; economic (w=0.298), environmental and climate (w=0.276), social and job related (w=0.224) and spatial (w=0.202), respectively. Among stressor sub-dimensions, reduced ground water levels (0.0617), low price of agricultural products in rural areas (0.0575), inappropriate access roads to farms (0.0545), no insurance for agricultural products (0.1521), and difficult sales of agricultural products in rural areas (0.488) were the most significant occupational stressors among farmers.
CONCLUSION: Among occupational stressors, economic and environmental factors have the greatest impact on perceived occupational stress by farmers. Control strategies including providing farmers with financial support and purchasing agricultural products by government, restoring and reforming water and soil resources as well as personal coping strategies could greatly reduce occupational stress among farmers.
Language: en |