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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/118185
Associations between proximity to livestock farms, primary health care visits and self-reported symptoms
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Living in a neighbourhood with a high density of
livestock farms has been associated with adverse respiratory
health effects, but less is known about healthcare utilisation.
This study aimed at investigating the associations between
livestock exposure and primary health care visits and
self-reported symptoms. In addition, we examined the potentially
confounding effect of distance from home to general practice.
METHODS: Contact data between 2006 and 2009 were obtained from
electronic medical records of 54,777 persons registered within
16 general practices in an area with a high density of livestock
farms in the Netherlands. Data on self-reported symptoms were
used from a cross-sectional sample of 531 patients in 2010.
Livestock presence in a 500 m radius from home was computed
using Geographic Information System data. RESULTS: In general,
livestock exposure was associated with fewer contacts and
self-reported symptoms for respiratory and other conditions. The
number of poultry within 500 m was positively associated with
the number of contacts. A longer distance to general practice
was associated with fewer contacts, but did not confound
associations. CONCLUSIONS: People living close to livestock
farms less often see their general practitioner and report
symptoms.
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VAN DIJK, Christel E., et al. Associations between proximity to livestock farms, primary
health care visits and self-reported symptoms. BMC Family Practice. 2016. Vol. 17, num. 22. ISSN 1471-2296. [consulted: 14 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/118185