Work as a health determinant: profile and vulnerabilities of farmers exposed to agrochemicals

• Autor(a) principal: Oliveira, Alane Kelly de Sousa
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Outros Autores: Carvalho, Karine Maria Martins Bezerra, Carvalho, Mariza Maria Barbosa
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Revista Baiana de Saúde Pública (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://rbsp.sesab.ba.gov.br/index.php/rbsp/article/view/3630
• topic: Agrotóxicos; Doenças ocupacionais; Saúde do trabalhador; Plaguicidas; Enfermedades profesionales; Salud del trabajador; Agrochemicals; Occupational diseases; Worker's health

Consumer market demand for “aesthetic” foods incurs in greater use of agrochemicals and a longitudinal exposure of farmers to such chemicals, making them vulnerable to the development of several health problems. This study sought to investigate work-related determinants of health, outlining the profile and vulnerabilities of farmers exposed to agrochemicals. An exploratory, descriptive and quantitative research was conducted with farmers from the municipality of Tomé, Ceará, Brazil. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire. Results showed the predominance of basic education and illiteracy. Working time in agriculture ranged from six to 50 years; exposure to agrochemicals ranged from one to over 20 years. Most farmers claimed to be aware of the toxicological class of the products, but 53.3% acknowledged not reading the label information. Most participants neglected the use of protective equipment, and 33.3% reported showing various symptoms of pesticide intoxication. In conclusion, the data support, confirm, and explain the injury results found in other studies conducted in the region and on health indicators, based on the profile of vulnerabilities found among interviewed workers. Articulation between health services is necessary for implementing occupational health actions, to promote a health gain modulation and decreased chronic disease rates in the region.