Perfil da atividade apícola desenvolvida no Alto Sertão da Paraíba.

Abstract

Beekeeping is a conservative economic activity of the species, due to the low environmental impact it causes, allowing the permanent use of natural resources and the non-destruction of the rural environment. This activity represents beyond production and work, personal satisfaction, for the majority of producers, and return to family traditions. In this context, an extremely important figure, the beekeeper, is inserted. Following this discussion, the research in question seeks to understand the quality of life and the health care of beekeepers of an Association of the upper sertão of Paraíba. The methodology is an exploratory and descriptive field research with quantitative approach, carried out with 50 beekeepers who are part of FEPAN - Beekeepers Federation. The data collection instrument used was a semi-structured questionnaire with objective questions and the quantitative data were analyzed in a descriptive way, with percentage statistical treatment. Regarding the results, it was possible to notice that the majority of respondents had a predominant age range between 46 and 50 years of age, were married, had children and had incomplete primary education. They work in beekeeping between 10 and 15 years, working two hours a day, have between 10 and 25 hives, are mostly farmers and use beekeeping as a source of secondary income ranging from 100,000 to 400,000 reais; are part of the Association of Beekeepers to 10 years and conducting courses or training offered by Sebrae, guarantee health care, do not use agrochemicals and always use PPE for handling with bees, but never suffered any accidents during work activity. About having a health problem, it was observed that the majority have good health, however, hypertension and diabetes were reported by some interviewees. It is concluded that studies of this nature allow a better understanding of the reality experienced by this target population, so that measures or actions can be drawn up aimed at improving the quality of life of these professionals, in view of continuing education and introduction of informative lectures, allowing the understanding of the needs and risks to which these individuals are exposed daily.