Estudo da qualidade de vida dos catadores de materiais recicláveis do lixão em Pombal – PB.

Abstract

In view of the multiple precarious environment experienced by recyclable material collectors, and the magnitude of occupational risks associated with the work routine of these professionals, the objective of this research was to evaluate the quality of life of recyclable material collectors in the municipality of Pombal- PB. The research was carried out with 25 waste pickers who work in the Pombal-PB dump and the data collection was based on field visits, bibliographic research, use of digital photographs and questionnaires. The diagnosis of Quality of life was obtained from a simplified and validated instrument by the WHO: WHOQOL-Bref, the identification of factors that influence the health and quality of life of recyclable material collectors obtained through a semi-structured questionnaire visit to field and digital photographs and as for the measures to improve the quality of life of the scavengers elaborated based on researches in the scientific and technical literature. According to the results, regarding the diagnosis of quality of life, several different levels of satisfaction were observed. It was found that the domain with the lowest level of satisfaction was the Environment domain (average 13.30), however, the overall result showed a good level of satisfaction. The general assessment rate was 70.0%, demonstrating good quality of life. As for the second analysis, it was found that this quality of life, although satisfactory, is influenced by several aspects, they are: unemployment, absence of adequate PPE`s, exposure to physical, chemical, biological agents and work accidents, acquisition of diseases, absence of infrastructure and machinery, among others. The main measures proposed were: to encourage the elaboration of the PMGIRS, to build the sanitary landfill, to develop and implement the PCSS, to invest in infrastructure, to make PPE available, to carry out health actions aimed at waste pickers, to develop educational actions to encourage the environmental awareness of the population. , and guide waste pickers to best practices on how to carry out their work.