Ações de saúde a produtores de tabaco expostos a agrotóxicos : estudo em um município de atividade econômica predominantemente agrícola.

Abstract

Brazil is the largest consumer of agrochemicals, the largest exporter of tobacco and the second largest producer of the plant in the world. Tobacco growers are exposed to health risks caused by high exposure to the use of pesticides. The exposure of workers occurs, in most cases, due to lack of information and educational actions by health professionals. This study aimed to know and analyze the health actions to tobacco growers exposed to pesticides. This was a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research with seven health professionals from the only public health unit and seven tobacco growers from a municipality of predominantly agricultural economic activity. Two interview models were used, one for the professionals and the other for the tobacco growers, composed of open and closed questions. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis method. Data analysis showed that most of the tobacco growers already suffered poisoning due to exposure to agrochemicals, even though there was no need for hospitalization. And they said that they were only advised by tobacco companies and had a good acceptance of the use of individual safety equipment. The analysis of the data also showed a lack of health actions by the health professionals towards the tobacco growers. It was evidenced that most of the professionals have attended cases of poisoning by pesticides and have difficulty knowing about the notification process about intoxication. Finally, there was a lack of actions aimed at exposure to pesticides, lack of guidelines and specific care in the health unit.