Perfil epidemiológico de trabalhadores rurais expostos a agrotóxicos no município de Lagarto-Sergipe

Abstract

Introduction: Pesticides are products used in agricultural activities to kill or control pests and diseases that can harm plantations, particularly insecticides, herbicides, fumigants and fungicides. Usually, farmers are among the most vulnerable populations to pesticide exposure and more likely to have greater risk of pesticide poisoning. Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of rural workers exposed to pesticides in the municipality of Lagarto – Sergipe. Methodology: Cross-sectional, quantitative and descriptive study, conducted with farmers of the municipality of Lagarto-SE. Sociodemographic, health and occupational data were collected by a questionnaire. Results: 95 farmers were interviewed, 58,9% , mean age of 51 years old, married, with low education level. The majority had children, and the father was the family member most present in agricultural activity. Of the total sample, 76% had worked in agriculture over than 20 years, and most of them reported using pesticides, with the round-up being the most common. Notably, only 67,4% used recommend personal protective equipment (PPE) while 60% reported to have experienced symptoms of acute pesticide poisoning after the application. Conclusion: our results demonstrate the vulnerability of farmers to the risks of occupational and environment pesticide exposure. Male adults with low educational level were more exposed to pesticides. Our findings confirm the need of proper training of these farmers on safe pesticide usage and identification of symptoms of pesticide poisoning, in order to reduce their risk of exposure levels and health problems.