SILVA, E. D.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/5010276214931214; SILVA, Evandro Dantas da.
Resumo:
The objective of this study was to investigate the quality of life of farmers exposed to pesticides in coconut production in the irrigated perimeter of São Gonçalo. It was a cross-sectional, exploratory field study with a quantitative approach, with the application of two questionnaires, the first of sociodemographic data and exposure of workers to pesticides and the second, quality of life assessment: Short Form 36 (SF36), which is a validated questionnaire. The research was conducted in the municipality of Sousa-PB, with 25 workers exposed to pesticides in coconut production in the Irrigated Perimeter of São Gonçalo. Descriptive analysis was performed with a significance level of 5%. The sample was characterized by middle-aged adults; aged between 18 and 74 years old, male; 40% predominant of the Housing Center III; 40% of workers with incomplete primary education; 84% married, 72% brown; and with family income of 1 to 2 minimum wages (56%). The worst scores, according to SF36, were in relation to Physical Aspects, Emotional Aspects and Pain. Regarding the history of pathological and family history, 84% have children, of these, no child was born with a disability; 56% of wives were exposed to pesticides; 32% and 4% of pregnant women evolved to abortion and premature delivery, respectively; 20% have tried against their own life; 44% have had or have cancer (skin, brain, liver and lung). Regarding the exposure of workers to pesticides, 88% use pesticides; 56% of workers received no guidance on pesticide use; 48% are insecure for work; 48% of farmers ignore package label recommendations. Although 60% of farmers have not been oriented and trained to use PPE correctly, 44% sometimes use PPE; 84% take a bath as a precaution and care, 76% of farmers adopt the boot and hat as protection; 68% of PPE are washed at home; 84% are sanitized separately from family clothes; 24% of farmers despised packaging inside the drain, that is, a channel that carries water from the São Gonçalo reservoir to agricultural production lots; and 24% burned them. However, 100% believe that pesticides can be harmful to their health and that 68%
have already had a health problem because they came in contact with pesticides. Of these, 44% of farmers reported the presence of dizziness and headache symptoms. Thus, exposure to pesticides interferes with workers' quality of life, causing them symptoms of intoxication and health problems.