PERCEPTIONS OF BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL HEALTH OF A GROUP OF FARM WORKERS IN THE NORTHWEST PROVINCE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the biopsychosocial health perceptions of a group of farm workers and the relationship between these perceptions and their health status. An availability sample of 52 male and female Setswana-speaking fann workers, 18-60 years old, was used. Data were obtained with five empirical questionnaires: SRQ, GHQ, HBQ, MHLOCS, SOC. A qualitative study was done in the form of semi-structured interviews. It was found that farm workers' biopsychosocial health perceptions are characterized by physical vulnerability, low sense of coherence and non-committal health beliefs. They tend to focus more on the physical aspects of biopsychosocial health and factors that restrict rather than contribute to or enhance health. It is recommended that all related variables, especially worker/manager relationships, land-ownership issues and health literacy be investigated.