Prevalência de distúrbios osteomusculares relacionadosao trabalho em agricultores do Oeste do Paraná / Prevalence of work-related osteomuscular disordersin farmers of western Paraná

Os distúrbios osteomusculares relacionados ao trabalho (DORT) podem afetar articulações, músculos, tendões, ligamentos e nervos periféricos e são comuns na agricultura devido à sobrecarga de trabalho, esforços excessivos e repetitivos e adoção de posturas inadequadas para a realização das atividades. O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar a prevalência de DORT, a intensidade e características da dor, além de descrever as categorias e ferramentas de trabalho de agricultores da Região Oeste do Paraná. Foi realizado um estudo observacional transversal com uma amostra representativa dos agricultores associados ao sindicato da região. Para coleta de dados utilizou-se um questionário sociodemográfico, um formulário sobre categorias e ferramentas de trabalho, a Escala Visual Analógica de dor, o Questionário Nórdico de Sintomas Osteomusculares e o questionário de McGill para caracterização da dor. Participaram do estudo 144 agricultores, com predomínio do sexo masculino (63,89%) e faixa etária entre 18 e 47 anos (73,61%). A prevalência de DORT nos agricultores foi de 100% e as regiões mais acometidas foram as partes inferior e superior das costas com 59,72% e 43,75% respectivamente. A intensidade da dor foi moderada em 50,69% e do tipo enjoada em 89,58% dos participantes. A atividade de cultivo de grãos está presente em 57,64% dos indivíduos e o uso de motosserra e maquinário agrícola foram as ferramentas mais citadas durante o labor. Os achados apontam a necessidade urgente de intervenção terapêutica e preventiva aos trabalhadores e contribuem ao avanço científico da área. Além de tratar os DORT, mostram-se imprescindíveis adaptações ergonômicas no trabalho dos agricultores.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) can affect joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments and peripheral nerves and are common in agriculture due to work overload, excessive and repetitive efforts and the adoption of inappropriate postures to perform activities. The objective of this study is to present the prevalence of WRMD, the intensity and characteristics of pain, in addition to describing the categories and work tools of farmers in the western region of Paraná. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out with a representative sample of farmers associated with the worker ́s union in the region. For data collection, we used a sociodemographic questionnaire, a form on categories and work tools, the visual analogue pain scale, the Nordic questionnaire on musculoskeletal symptoms and the McGill questionnaire for pain characterization. A total of 144 farmers participated in the study, with a predominance of males (63.89%) aged between 18 and 47 years old (73.61%). The prevalence of WRMDs in farmers was 100% and the most affected body regions were the lower and upper back with 59.72% and 43.75% respectively. Pain intensity was moderate in 50.69% and nausea type in 89.58% of participants. Grain cultivation activity was present in 57.64% of individuals and the use of chainsaws and agricultural machinery were the most cited tools used during work. The findings point to the urgent need for therapeutic and preventive intervention to these land workers and can contribute to the scientific advancement of the area. Besides treating WRMDs, ergonomic adaptations in the work of farmers are essential.

Occupational health and safety in agriculture. A systematic review / Salud y seguridad ocupacional en la agricultura. Revisión sistemática

Abstract Introduction: The prevalence of occupational diseases in the agricultural sector is higher than in other industries, since agricultural workers are at higher risk of exposure to different chemicals and pesticides, and are more prone to occupational accidents. Objective: To conduct a review of recent literature on occupational health and risk in agriculture. Materials and methods: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, SciencieDirect and Scopus using the following search strategy: type of articles: original research papers; publication language: English; publication period: 2006-2016; search terms: "agricultural health", "agrarian health", "risk factors", "epidemiology", "causality" and "occupational", used in different combinations ("AND" and "OR"). Results: The search yielded 350 articles, of which 102 met the inclusion criteria. Moreover, 5 articles were found in grey literature sources and included in the final analysis. Most research on this topic has been conducted in the United States, which produced 91% (97/107) of the articles included in the review. Conclusions: Most studies on agricultural health focused primarily on the harmful effects of occupational exposure to agrochemicals and pesticides, and the consequences of occupational accidents. However, since more than 90% of these studies come from USA, a more comprehensive approach to agricultural health is required, since what is reported here may be far from the reality of other regions, especially Latin America.

Resumen Introducción. En el sector agrícola la prevalencia de enfermedades profesionales es más alta que en otras industrias, ya que los agricultores, debido a las actividades que deben realizar, tienen un mayor riesgo de exposición a diferentes químicos y pesticidas, y son más propensos a sufrir accidentes laborales. Objetivo. Realizar una revisión de la literatura sobre salud y riesgo ocupacional en el sector agrícola. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda de la literatura en PubMed, SciencieDirect y Scopus. Se utilizó la siguiente estrategia de búsqueda: tipo de artículos: investigaciones originales; idioma: inglés; periodo de publicación: 2006-2016; términos de búsqueda: "agricultural health", "agrarian health", "risk factors", "epidemiology", "causality" y "occupational", usados en diferentes combinaciones ("AND" y "OR"). Resultados. La búsqueda arrojó 350 artículos, de los cuales 102 cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. Además, se agregaron 5 artículos encontrados en fuentes de literatura gris. El país en el que más se ha investigado sobre este tema es EE. UU., ya que produjo el 91% (97/107) de los artículos incluidos. Conclusiones. La mayoría de estudios se centró en los efectos de la exposición ocupacional a químicos y pesticidas y las consecuencias de los accidentes laborales; sin embargo, ya que más del 90% de estos proviene de EE. UU., se requiere una discusión más integral sobre la salud en la agricultura, pues lo reportado aquí puede distar mucho de la realidad de otras regiones, especialmente de Latinoamérica.

The Concept, Status Quo and Forensic Pathology of Karoshi / 法医学杂志

"Karoshi" originates from Japan's economic take-off period in the 1960s and 1970s. It is generally believed that overwork lead to the accumulation of fatigue, which triggers the outbreak of potential diseases, and results in sudden death. Karoshi causes great harm to both the community and families because it occurs primarily in 30 to 60 year old young adults. Japan put Karoshi into the category of industrial injury for the first time in 2001 and started to undertake a series of studies in the sociological and pathological fields. However, there is a tremendous gap in the forensic pathological diagnosis domain. In China, research on Karoshi started from the 1990s and is closely related to the reform and opening up policy as well as economic development. According to the incomplete statistics, 600 thousand people die from overwork each year in China, the highest in the world. Karoshi has become one of the most serious social problems in China at the present stage, thus a systematic study in the sociology and forensic pathology fields is urgently required. This paper summarizes the past and present status of Karoshi, and puts forward the problems that need attention during the judicial expertise of Karoshi from forensic pathology perspective.

Entre la finca, la fábrica y la casa: el trabajo productivo y reproductivo de trabajadoras agrícolas migrantes en Mendoza (Argentina) y su incidencia en la salud-enfermedad / Among the farm, the factory, and home: productive and reproductive work of female migrant farmworkers in Mendoza (Argentina) and its impact in the health-disease process

RESUMEN A partir de las últimas décadas del siglo XX asistimos a profundas transformaciones del trabajo agrícola en América Latina, que han incidido decisivamente en la salud de las y los trabajadores. Estos procesos han tenido implicancias específicas para las trabajadoras agrícolas, quienes afrontan la condición de precariedad laboral del sector, a la vez que experimentan desigualdades que las afectan distintivamente. Este artículo propone analizar conjuntamente los procesos de trabajo productivo y reproductivo de trabajadoras agrícolas migrantes residentes en Mendoza (Argentina), buscando dilucidar la incidencia de esta doble carga en su salud-enfermedad. A partir del trabajo de campo, realizado desde el año 2014 en la localidad agrícola de Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, mediante un enfoque cualitativo apoyado primordialmente en la estrategia biográfica, y con la colaboración de herramientas conceptuales feministas, analizamos las relaciones entre trabajo y salud desde la forma en que estos procesos son narrados por las mujeres migrantes. Los resultados muestran, por una parte, que los procesos de trabajo que impactan en su salud incluyen el empleo y las labores reproductivas, y por otra, describen los daños, enfermedades y padecimientos vinculados al trabajo conjunto en fincas, fábricas y hogares.

ABSTRACT Starting in the last decades of the 20th century, deep transformations have occurred in Latin American agricultural work, with decisive impacts on workers' health. These processes have had specific implications for female agricultural workers, who face the precarious working conditions common to all agricultural workers as well as inequalities that affect them distinctly. This article seeks to analyze the productive and reproductive work of migrant female farmworkers residing in Mendoza (Argentina), in order to elucidate the impact of this double workload on their health-disease processes. Fieldwork was carried out in 2014 in the agricultural town of Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, using a qualitative method supported primarily in a biographical approach. With the collaboration of feminist theoretical tools, we analyzed the relation between work and health based on the way these processes are narrated by migrant women. The results show that the work processes impacting their health include both employment and reproductive labor, and describe the harm, diseases, and illnesses linked to combined work in farms, factories and homes.

Prevalence of hearing problems and associated factors in an agricultural company in southern Brazil / Prevalência de problemas auditivos e fatores associados em uma empresa agropecuária do sul do Brasil

To describe the prevalence and to analyze the factors associated with hearing problems in an agricultural company.

Descrever a prevalência e analisar os fatores associados a problemas auditivos em uma empresa agropecuária.

Associação entre a carga de trabalho agrícola e as dores relacionadas / Association between pain and agricultural workload

Objetivo: Analisar a associação entre a carga de trabalho agrícola e as dores atribuídas pelos agricultores. Métodos: Estudo transversal que incluiu 259 agricultores de dois cenários rurais. Utilizou-se instrumento de pesquisa validado para a avaliação da carga de trabalho. Resultados: As associações com maior magnitude ficaram entre a comercialização dos produtos e a dor nos pés e o preparo do solo associado às lombalgias. Os agricultores que apresentaram dores evidenciaram maior carga de trabalho, assim como a carga de trabalho foi significativa para os agricultores que apresentaram estresse, ansiedade e transtorno do ciclo vigília-sono. Conclusão: As cargas de trabalho oriundas do processo de trabalho agrícola exercem influências na saúde e podem levar ao desgaste físico e emocional do agricultor, ocasionando dores e possíveis distúrbios e doenças relacionadas ao trabalho. .

Objective To analyze the association between workload of farm work and pains attributed by farm workers. Methods This cross-sectional study included 259 farm workers from two rural scenarios. A validated research instrument was used to assess the workload. Results Two pairs, sale of products and sore feet and also tillage and low back pain, showed the highest values for association. Farm workers who had pain had high workload. In addition, workload was significant for farm workers who exhibited stress, anxiety, and disorder in the sleep-wake cycle. Conclusion Workload arising from the process of farm work influence farm workers health and may lead them to show emotional and physical wear, causing pain and possible work-related disorders and diseases. .

Seroprevalencia de leptospirosis y características asociadas en agricultores de arroz de una región tropical del Perú / Leptospirosis seroprevalence and associated features in rice farmers of tropical region of Peru

Objetivos . Estimar la seroprevalencia de leptospirosis en agricultores dedicados al cultivo de arroz del valle del Alto Mayo, región San Martín e identificar anticuerpos para los serovares circulantes y los factores asociados a la infección. Materiales y métodos. Se realizó un estudio transversal entre octubre y noviembre de 2010 en una muestra de 254 agricultores procedentes de las once comisiones de regantes del valle de Alto Mayo. Se recolectó una muestra de sangre y se aplicó un cuestionario que incluyó variables sociodemográficas, y características del hogar y del trabajo. Se determinó la presencia de anticuerpos contra leptospira usando la prueba de microaglutinación y ELISA IgM. Resultados. La seroprevalencia determinada por microaglutinación fue del 64,6% (IC 95%: 58,6-70,6). La prueba ELISA IgM fue reactiva en 15,0% (IC 95%: 10,5-19,5). Los tipos de serovar más frecuentes fueron Icterohaemorrhagiae, Autumnalis, Australis , Panama y Grippotyphosa. Los factores asociados independientemente fueron la manipulación de roedores (OR ajustado [ORa] de 7,9, IC 95%: 1,6-37,9), trabajar descalzo (ORa de 2,9, IC 95%: 1,2-6,8) y el sexo masculino (ORa de 4,5, IC 95%: 1,3-15,3). Conclusiones . El valle del Alto Mayo es un área hiperendémica de leptospirosis. Los factores asociados más importantes fueron la práctica de trabajar descalzo y la de manipular roedores en los campos de cultivo. En consecuencia, se recomienda implementar intervenciones que incidan en estos dos factores a fin de reducir el riesgo de infección en los cultivadores de arroz.

Objectives. To estimate the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in rice farmers of the Alto Mayo Valley in the Peruvian region of San Martín and to identify factors associated with infection. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted between October and November of 2010 on a sample of 254 farmers from eleven irrigation committees in the Alto Mayo Valley. A blood sample was collected as well as sociodemographic, household and labor characteristics in the form of a questionnaire. The presence of antibodies against leptospira was determined using the microscopic agglutination test and the IgM ELISA. Results. The seroprevalence by agglutination was 64.6% (95% CI: 58.6-70.6). The IgM ELISA test was reactive in 15,0% (95% CI: 10.5-19.5). The most frequent serovar were Icterohaemorrhagiae, Autumnalis, Australis, Panama and Grippotyphosa. Independently associated factors were handling rodents (adjusted OR (aOR): 7.9; 95% CI: 1.6-37.9), working barefoot (aOR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.2-6.8) and male sex (aOR: 4.5; 95% CI: 1.3-15.3). Conclusions. The Alto Mayo Valley is a hyperendemic for leptospirosis. The most important factors were associated with working barefoot and handling rodents in crop fields. Consequently, it is recommended to implement interventions that affect these two factors in order to reduce the risk of infection in rice farmers.

Impacto do estresse na saúde de cortadores de cana / The impact of stress on the health of sugar cane cutters

OBJETIVO Analisar os níveis de estresse e a prevalência de sintomas físicos e psíquicos em trabalhadores do corte de cana antes e depois da safra. MÉTODOS Foram estudados 114 cortadores de cana, 109 trabalhadores urbanos na pré-safra, 102 cortadores de cana e 81 trabalhadores urbanos na pós-safra, na cidade de Mendonça, SP, em 2009. A análise dos dados baseou-se na frequência e porcentagem dos avaliados com sintomas de estresse, tendo sido utilizado o Inventário de Sintomas de Estresse para Adultos de Lipp-ISSL. Os dados gerais coletados foram analisados segundo estatística descritiva. Utilizou-se o teste Exato de Fisher para comparar a variável categórica representada pelo estresse pré e pós-safra nos grupos cortadores de cana e trabalhadores urbanos. Foram considerados significativos os valores de p menor que 0,05. RESULTADOS O estresse aumentou nos cortadores de cana após a safra (34,2% na pré-safra e 46,1% na pós-safra); nos trabalhadores urbanos, o estresse diminuiu de 44,0% na pré-safra para 42,0% na pós-safra. Houve predominância da fase de resistência do estresse para ambos os grupos, com sinais mais evidentes da fase de quase-exaustão e de exaustão para os cortadores de cana. Após a safra, houve tendência a aumentar o número de cortadores de cana com sintomas de quase-exaustão (6,4%) e exaustão (10,6%), bem como aumento na proporção de cortadores de cana com sintomas físicos (de 20,5% para 25,5%) e psicológicos (de 64,1% para 70,2%). Para os dois grupos, os sintomas psicológicos foram elevados nas duas fases (70,2% e 64,7%, respectivamente). CONCLUSÕES O processo produtivo de trabalho do cortador de cana pode provocar estresse. Fatores individuais, como a percepção cognitiva da experiência, crenças de autoeficácia e expectativas ...

OBJECTIVE Evaluate the impact of stress on sugar cane cutters and the prevalence of physical and psychological symptoms before and after harvest. METHODS We studied 114 sugarcane cutters and 109 urban workers in the pre-harvest and 102 sugar cane cutters and 81 urban workers in the post-harvest period in the city of Mendonça, SP, Southeastern Brazil, in 2009. Data analysis was based on the frequency and percentage of the assessed symptoms of stress, using the Lipp-ISSL test (Symptoms of Stress for Adults). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The Fisher Test was used to compare the variable of stress between pre- and post-harvest within the sugar cane cutter and urban worker groups. P values below 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS Stress in sugar cane cutters increased after harvesting (34.2% pre-harvest and 46.1% post-harvest); in urban workers, stress decreased from 44.0% pre-harvest to 42.0% post-harvest. There was prevalence of the phase of resistance to stress for both groups with signs more apparent from the near-exhaustion and exhaustion phases for sugar cane cutters. After harvest, there was a tendency for the number of sugar cane cutters with symptoms of near-exhaustion (6.4%) and exhaustion (10.6%) to increase. After harvest there was a trend for the number of sugar cane cutters with physical symptoms (pre-harvest = 20.5%, post-harvest = 25.5%) and psychological symptoms (pre-harvest = 64.1%; post-harvest = 70.2%) to increase. For both groups, predominantly psychological symptoms occurred in both phases (70.2% versus 64.7%). CONCLUSIONS The work process of cutting cane can cause stress. Individual factors such as cognitive perception of the experience, self-efficacy beliefs and expectations of the employee regarding their performance can influence the understanding of the reactions in their body in face of the work. .

Analise da exposição de trabalhadores rurais a agrotoxicos / Analysis of rural workers’ exposure to pesticides / Analisis de la exposición de trabajadores rurales a agrotoxico

Analisar o uso e manuseio de agrotóxicos por trabalhadores rurais de dez comunidades do município de Vitória de Santo Antão-PE. Métodos:Estudo observacional seccional descritivo realizado no período de janeiro a julho de 2010 por meio da aplicação de questionário estruturado a uma amostra de conveniência cujo tamanho foi estimado com umnível de significância (α) de 5%, a fim de levantar variáveis relativas a dados pessoais, uso e manuseio de agrotóxicos. Resultados: Dos 230trabalhadores rurais da região estudada, a maioria eram mulheres (n=157; 69,2%) que cursaram até o ensino fundamental incompleto(n=130; 57%). Foi observado que 141 (61,3%) trabalhadores entrevistados utilizavam agrotóxicos e apenas 3 (0,9%) aplicavam o produto com orientação de técnicos especialistas.Dos entrevistados, 97 (28,3%) desconhecem o período de carência, 67 (19,5%) a lei de reciclagem, 95 (27,7%) não usam equipamentos de proteção individual, 80 (23,3%) utilizam-se dos rios para lavagem dos equipamentos e 108 (31,5%) reutilizam as sobras das caldas.Conclusões: Ficam evidentes as exposições nocivas dos trabalhadores rurais que utilizam o produto e a permanente contaminação ambiental. Tais dados refletem um modelo agrícolaque busca a produtividade e rendimento financeiro, sem a atenção adequada à promoção à saúde e à qualidade ambiental...

To analyze the use and handling of pesticides by workers from ten rural communities in the city of Vitória de Santo Antão-PE. Methods:Observational cross- sectional descriptive study was conducted from January to July 2010, through the application of a structured questionnaire to a sample of convenience. Sample size was estimated with a level of significance (α) of 5% in order to access variables on personal data, use and handling of pesticides. Results:Of 230 farm workers in the studied region, most were women (n=157; 69.2%) with incomplete elementary school level (n=130; 57%). It was observed that 141 (61.3%) respondent workers reported to use pesticides and only 3 (0.9%) applied the product under technical guidance of experts. Of the interviewees, 97 (28.3%) were unaware of the grace period, 67 (19.5%) unaware of recycling law, 95 (27.7%) did not use personalprotective equipment, 80 (23.3%) used the rivers for washing the equipment and 108 (31.5%) reused the remains of liquid preparations. Conclusions:The harmful exposure of ruralworkers who used pesticides and the permanent environment contamination are evidenced. Such data reflects an agricultural model that seeks productivity and financial profits withoutproper compliance to health promotion and quality of the environment...

Analizar el uso y manoseo de agrotoxicos en trabajadores rurales de diez comunidades del municipio de Vitoria del Santo, Antão-PE. Métodos:Estudio observacional seccional descriptivo realizado en el periodo de enero a julio de 2010 a través de laaplicación de un cuestionario estructurado a una muestra de conveniencia cuyo tamaño fue estimado con un nivel de significancia (α) del 5%, para levantar variables relativasa los datos personales, el uso y manoseo de agrotoxicos. Resultados:La mayoría de los 230 trabajadores rurales de la región investigada eran mujeres (n=157; 69,2%) que estudiaron hasta la educación primariaincompleta (n=130; 57%). Fue observado que 141 (61,3%) trabajadores entrevistados utilizaban agrotoxicos y apenas 3 (0,9%) aplicaban el producto bajo la orientación de técnicos especialistas. De los entrevistados, 97 (28,3%) no conocen el periodo de carencia, 67 (19,5%) la ley de reciclaje, 95 (27,7%) no usan los equipos de protección individual, 80 (23,3%) utilizan los ríos para lavar los equipos y 108 (31,5%) reutilizan los restos delas caldas. Conclusión:Son evidentes las exposiciones nocivas de los trabajadores rurales que utilizan el producto y la permanentecontaminación ambiental. Esos datos reflejan un modelo agrícola que busca la productividad y el rendimiento financiero sin la atención adecuada a la promoción de la salud y la calidad ambiental...

Qualidade de vida de trabalhadores rurais e agrotóxicos: um estudo com o whoqol-bref / Quality of life of rural workers and pesticides: a study with the whoqol-bref

Objetivo: Analisar a qualidade de vida de trabalhadores ruraisde dez comunidades assistidas pelo Instituto Agronômico dePernambuco (IPA) no município de Vitória de Santo Antão.Material e Métodos: Foi realizado estudo transversal, pormeio de aplicação do questionário whoqol-bref a uma amostrade conveniência estimada com nível de confiança de 95% eerro máximo igual a 5%, totalizando 343 indivíduos.Resultados: A amostra foi dividida em dois grupos; um detrabalhadores que referiu não aplicar agrotóxicos (G1) e ooutro referiu aplicar (G2). Os maiores escores foram obtidosnos domínios psicológico e social pelo grupo G1 (70,9; 74,7)assim como pelo grupo G2 (67,0; 70,7). Houve diferençassignificativas entre os dois grupos nos domínios físico,psicológico e social, com p-valores menores do que 0,05. Osmaiores escores em todos os domínios foram obtidos pelogrupo que referiu não utilizar agrotóxicos (G1). Conclusões:O uso e manuseio de agrotóxicos interferiram nas variáveisanalisadas no que diz respeito à saúde física, psicológica eas relações sociais da amostra estudada. As condiçõesambientais nas quais está inserida a amostra se refletem da mesma forma para os dois grupos.

Objective: To analyze the quality of life of rural workersfrom ten communities assisted by the Agronomic Institute ofPernambuco (IPA) in Vitória de Santo Antão. Material andMethods: This was a cross-sectional study applying theWHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to a convenience sampleestimated with a confidence level of 95% and a maximumerror equal to 5%, totaling 343 individuals. Results: The samplewas divided into two groups, one of workers who reportednot using pesticides (G1) and another group of those whoreported using it (G2). The highest scores were obtained inthe psychological and social domains by G1 (70.9, 74.7) aswell as by G2 (67.0, 70.7). There were significant differencesbetween both groups regarding the physical, psychologicaland social domains, with p-values lower than 0.05. Thehighest scores in all areas were obtained by the group thatreported not using pesticides (G1). Conclusions: The useand handling of pesticides affected the variables with respectto physical, psychological and social aspects of the sample.The environmental conditions in which the sample wasinserted were found to be the same for both groups.

Dermal Exposure Associated with Occupational End Use of Pesticides and the Role of Protective Measures

BACKGROUND: Occupational end users of pesticides may experience bodily absorption of the pesticide products they use, risking possible health effects. The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working in the field of agricultural health or other areas where occupational end use of pesticides and exposure issues are of interest. METHODS: This paper characterizes the health effects of pesticide exposure, jobs associated with pesticide use, pesticide-related tasks, absorption of pesticides through the skin, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for reducing exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Although international and national efforts to reduce pesticide exposure through regulatory means should continue, it is difficult in the agricultural sector to implement engineering or system controls. It is clear that use of PPE does reduce dermal pesticide exposure but compliance among the majority of occupationally exposed pesticide end users appears to be poor. More research is needed on higher-order controls to reduce pesticide exposure and to understand the reasons for poor compliance with PPE and identify effective training methods.

Qualidade de vida de trabalhadores rurais e agrotóxicos: uma revisão sistemática / Rural workers' quality of life of and agrotoxics: a systematic review

OBJETIVO: Analisar a produção científica sobre qualidade de vida de trabalhadores rurais pelo método da revisão sistemática. MÉTODOS: A busca foi realizada nas bases de dados LILACS, SCIELO BRASIL, MEDLINE, OLD MEDLINE E PUBMED, nas quais foram selecionados documentos publicados durante o período de 1966 a 2011. RESULTADOS: Das 466 produções selecionadas, três cumpriram os critérios necessários para permanecer na revisão sistemática. Todos os estudos que compuseram a amostra utilizaram instrumentos específicos para avaliar qualidade de vida. Duas das três produções estavam inseridas na categoria Saúde do adulto, relacionando a qualidade de vida com distúrbios musculoesqueléticos e saúde mental em trabalhadores rurais. CONCLUSÃO: A produção científica referente a esta temática e indexada nas referidas bases de dados foi pouco expressiva uma vez que grande parte envolve apenas aspectos objetivos e passíveis de medição, não destacando, entretanto, questões de natureza subjetiva relacionadas com qualidade de vida. Sugere-se que estudos que avaliem saúde do trabalhador rural sejam analisados na sua totalidade para melhor compreensão desses dados e melhor direcionamento das ações de saúde para este grupo

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the scientific literature on rural workers' quality of life by the method of systematic review. METHODS: A search was conducted in the databases LILACS, SCIELO BRAZIL, MEDLINE, OLD MEDLINE and PubMed, in which were selected documents published between 1966 and 2011. RESULTS: Of the 466 studies selected, three met the criteria required to be included in the systematic review. All studies composing the sample have used specific instruments to assess quality of life. Two out of the three articles were labeled in the category Adult health, quality of life related to musculoskeletal disorders and mental health in rural workers. CONCLUSION: The scientific literature on this topic, indexed in those databases, was not significant since a large part of studies only involved objective aspects, capable of being measured, not highlighting, however, subjective nature issues related to quality of life. It is suggested that studies assessing rural workers' health be entirely analyzed for better understanding of these data and better guiding of health actions for that group

Disease Prevalence and Mortality among Agricultural Workers in Korea

The aim of this paper was to provide an overview of mortality and disease prevalence related to occupational diseases among agricultural workers in Korea. We evaluated the age-standardized mortality rates and the prevalence of chronic diseases and compared them with those of other populations using death registration data from 2004 through 2008 and the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. In addition, we conducted a literature review on published articles examining the health status of farmers in Korea. Agricultural workers have a significantly higher mortality of cancer, tuberculosis, chronic respiratory diseases, liver diseases, suicide, motor and non-motor vehicle accidents. Compared to other populations, farmers have higher prevalence rates of arthritis and intervertebral disc disorders. The literature review revealed a number of work-related diseases among farmers, such as musculoskeletal diseases, pesticide poisoning, infections, and respiratory and neurologic diseases. Korean farmers demonstrate a distinct pattern of mortality and disease prevalence compared to other populations. Although lifestyle factors remain important contributors to those deaths and diseases, our study suggests that occupation is a major determinant as well. Intensive programs such as surveillance systems, therefore, should be developed in order to identify and prevent work-related diseases among agricultural workers in Korea.