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Background Migrant seasonal agricultural workers face conditions of material vulnerability such as inadequate housing difficulties prevent access to running water supplies. The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions of professionals involved in the care and support of seasonal migrant agricultural workers, as it relates to water access and water consumption and their impact on these workers’ health, in a context of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A qualitative exploratory and descriptive study was conducted in 2021 as part of a larger research project, based on 63 personal semi-structured interviews with professionals who provided support to seasonal migrant agricultural workers in three Spanish autonomous regions. COREQ checklist was used for reporting. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and imported into ATLAS.ti-9 for an inductive thematic analysis. Results: The results have been structured into two main themes: (1) Accessing and obtaining water; and (2) Health problems related to water consumption. Seasonal migrant agricultural workers experience barriers to obtaining safe water for hygiene, cleaning, food preparation and drinking. The implementation of regulations to reduce COVID-19 transmission resulted in improved hygiene levels in the migrants’ quarters, including access to safe drinking water. Conclusion: This study suggests that water insecurity experienced by migrant seasonal agricultural workers in Spain results from their poor living conditions and causes health problems related to a lack of hygiene and the use of unsafe water. Sustainable solutions are needed beyond the pandemic in order to provide migrant workers with adequate living conditions and ensure their water needs are fulfilled.

Agriculture is a niche market for migrant workers, and one of the sectors with the highest rates of accidents, deaths and work-related health problems. To review and synthesize existing literature on the health conditions of international migrant agricultural workers in Europe. A scoping review of scientific literature published until March 2021 was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, WoS and OpenGrey, following Arksey & O’Malley’s theoretical framework where 5894 references were retrieved and screened. Nineteen articles were selected, reviewed and synthetized. The country with the highest number of studies published (n = 9) was Spain. The design of the studies was mainly cross-sectional (n = 13). The main health problems identified were: lower back pain and other musculoskeletal problems, dermatitis, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, anxiety, stress, depression and barriers to access healthcare services. Migrant agricultural workers are a neglected population with conditions of vulnerability and precariousness, physical and mental health problems and poor working conditions. Interventions to reduce or eliminate language, cultural and administrative barriers to ensure access to healthcare services are needed, as well as designing a common European framework to protect the rights of migrant agricultural workers and their families.

OP 2: Determinants of Health Disease and Interventions 4, B210 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 14:30 - 15:30 Aims The aim was to qualitatively explore the effect of the working conditions of agricultural work on men and women from Latin America who were working in Spain. Methods Within the framework of the AGROMISALUD II Project, twenty-two (12 women and 10 men) agricultural workers from Latin America were interviewed in three Spanish provinces (Murcia, Huelva, and Lleida). They were aged between 23 and 51 years old Results Agricultural workers described physical exhaustion due to repetitive movements and uncomfortable postures (bending down to pick fruit or vegetables), which affected their knees, neck, spine, and wrists. They also experienced pain in their backs, knees, feet, and hands, and heat stroke, which caused dizziness and weakness. Men suffer from allergies to tree dust, tomatoes, or chemicals such as sulfur, that are sprayed near workers, causing reactions in the respiratory tract (sneezing) or the lachrymal system (tearing). They denounced a lack of occupational risk prevention, such as adequate protective masks. Another occupational hazard they identified was accidents when traveling to workplaces. Women who worked in warehouses complained of fatigue, lower back pain (lumbago, sciatica), elbow, hand, knee, and cervical pain. They spent much time on their feet without moving or with their heads bent over a conveyor belt making repetitive and monotonous movements daily. The cold affected their hands’ bones, and they suffered from carpal tunnel inflammation, and diseases such as arthritis. They work while their bodies resist, and some colleagues abandoned the work to be caregivers. In terms of psychological and emotional health, women working in warehouses reported feeling overwhelmed and anxious due to the feeling of confinement and taking sleeping pills. Conclusions There is a need for occupational safety measures from a gender-specific approach and policy changes to improve the health and well-being of this population conducting essential work in Spain.

OP 32: Health Status 1, B210 (FCSH), September 5, 2025, 09:00 - 10:00 Aims In Spain, agricultural work is mainly performed by the migrant population. These workers often face challenging conditions, including long working hours, low wages, and limited access to healthcare, which can have significant implications for their health and well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the self-perceived health of agricultural workers of African origin in Spain. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional descriptive study (2022) in four Spanish Regions (Lleida, La Rioja, Almeria and Huelva). A 43-question questionnaire was designed based on the National Health Survey. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to assess the association of socio-demographic characteristics with self-perceived health. Results 616 participants were selected for the analysis, including 66.1% of males with a median age of 36 (IQR: 28-44). Among them, 23.1% reported poor self-perceived health. Key risk factors for poor self-perceived health included being female (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.19-3.7, p = 0.01), older age (30-45 years, OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.57-5.6, p = 0.001; 45 years or more, OR = 8.36, 95% CI: 4.2-17.43, p < 0.001), having higher education (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.01-2.83, p = 0.047), lacking legal administrative documentation (OR = 2.10, 95% CI 1.25-3,57, p = 0.005), and alcohol consumption (OR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.08-3.76, p = 0.03). Furthermore, health conditions such as respiratory, digestive, musculoskeletal, circulatory, endocrine, and mental health disorders were strongly associated with poor self-perceived health, with notable sex differences in their impact. Conclusions Migrant women declared poorer self-perceived health, suffer more pain and fatigue and nervous system problems. This emphasizes the importance of gender-specific health approaches to address this population’s physical and mental health disparities. On the other hand, the good self-perceived health may correspond to the “healthy immigrant effect” and the conception of health linked to functionality. Health promotion interventions are needed, including preventive workplace practices and facilitating access to healthcare services.