Tobacco cultivation in the Reconcavo Baiano: Sociodemographic profile and workers' health conditions

Abstract

Despite the economic importance of tobacco farming in Brazil, pesticides and wet tobacco leaf handling affect workers' health. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the socio-demographic profile, health and behavioral aspects of tobacco growers in a Reconcavo da Bahia county. It was a descriptive and experimental research within a quantitative approach. Its target population were members of the Quixabeiras ́ Tobacco Growers Association located in the county of Cabaceiras do Paraguaçú, Bahia. Data were collected by means of questionnaires from April to September of 2014. Most tobacco growers were women, 46 years old in average, with incomplete basic education, who had been working as tobacco growers for over 20 years. With regard to pesticides, 54.54% used pyrethroids (Decis 25) in combination with herbicides (Sempra). Of the interviewed workers, 18.18% reported absence of health symptoms, while 57.57% complained of body aches, 33.36% suffered from headaches and 27.27% from tiredness. Personal protection equipment (PPE) was not used by 60.60% of the farmers due to its high cost, and correct pesticide packaging disposal was performed by 12.12% of them. The results of this study indicate that tobacco farmers are exposed to health risks and that the use of PPE and the correct packaging disposal is of the utmost importance to prevent nicotine and pesticide intoxication.