Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in avocado farmworkers from Mexico

Front Public Health. 2023 Dec 20:11:1252530. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1252530. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected farmworkers in the United States and Europe, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. However, little is known about the specific impact of the pandemic on agriculture and food production workers in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection and assess the mental health and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic among avocado farmworkers in Michoacan, Mexico.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of adult farmworkers (n = 395) in May 2021. We collected survey data, nasal swabs and saliva samples for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection, and blood samples for immunoglobulin G (IgG) reactivity measurements.

Results: None of the farmworkers tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. However, among unvaccinated farmworkers (n = 336, 85%), approximately one-third (33%) showed evidence of past infection (positive for IgG against SARS-CoV-2). Unvaccinated farmworkers who lived with other farmworkers (aRR = 1.55; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.05), had ever lived with someone with COVID-19 (aRR = 1.82; 95% CI: 1.22, 2.43), and who had diabetes (aRR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.53, 2.85) had a higher risk of testing IgG-positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. In contrast, unvaccinated farmworkers living in more rural areas (outside of Tingambato or Uruapan) (aRR = 0.71; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.96) or cooking with wood-burning stove (aRR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.96) had a lower risk of IgG-positivity. Moreover, 66% of farmworkers reported a negative impact of the pandemic on their lives, 29% reported experiencing food insecurity and difficulty paying bills, and 10% reported depression or anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health and financial well-being of avocado farmworkers. Consequently, the implementation of interventions and prevention efforts, such as providing mental health support and food assistance services, is imperative.

Keywords: COVID-19; Mexico; anxiety; depression; farmworker health; food insecurity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Farmers
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Pandemics
  • Persea*
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Viral
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • RNA, Viral
  • Immunoglobulin G

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants from the InnovaUNAM of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and Alianza UCMX of the University of California (UNAMUCMX01); University of California Institute for Mexico and the United States (UC MEXUS) and the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología de México (Conacyt) (CN-20-187). CA-A was supported by a Scholarship for Support for the Improvement of Academic Staff (PASPA) from the General Directorate of Academic Personnel Affairs (DGAPA) of the UNAM; and by the 2022 Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program. This publication is made possible in part by support from the Berkeley Research Impact Initiative (BRII) sponsored by the UC Berkeley Library.