Suicidality among South Brazilian tobacco growers

Szortyka, Ana Laura Sica Cruzeiro; Faria, Neice Müller Xavier; Carvalho, Maitê Peres de; Feijó, Fernando Ribas; Meucci, Rodrigo Dalke; Flesch, Betina Daniele; Fiori, Nádia Spada; Fassa, Anaclaudia Gastal

doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2021.06.005

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“… 6 - 10 In addition, through the harvesting of tobacco leaves, they are likely to be at risk of exposure to toxins and accumulated pesticides, 11 which were associated with an increased risk of cancer in farmers, 12 development of mental health problems because of depression, and increases in suicide because of poverty, debt, and family stress. 13 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deteriorating Quality of Life and a Desire to Stop Growing Tobacco Among Virginia and Burley Tobacco Farmers in Thailand

Phetphum

Prajongjeep

Keeratisiroj

et al. 2022

JCO Global Oncology

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PURPOSE This study aimed to examine the quality of life of tobacco farmers and their desire to stop growing tobacco. METHODS A cross-sectional home-based survey was conducted between October 2021 and January 2022 among 2,970 Virginia and Burley tobacco farmers in Northern Thailand. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the association between farmers' characteristics and their quality of life and a desire to stop planting tobacco. RESULTS In total, 58.5% of the participants wanted to stop growing tobacco, and most had a lower quality of life than the mean. Nine independent variables were associated with a desire to stop tobacco farming: having a low level of economic quality of life (adjusted odds ratio [ORAdj], 5.42; 95% CI, 3.8 to 7.8); having a high environmental quality of life (ORAdj, 4.60; 95% CI, 3.3 to 6.5); belonging to the Tobacco Farmers' Association (ORAdj, 3.04; 95% CI, 2.1 to 4.5); growing tobacco on their own land (ORAdj, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.8 to 2.6); having a low social quality of life (ORAdj, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.4 to 2.1); having a low health quality of life (ORAdj, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.4 to 2.1); having a low spiritual quality of life (ORAdj, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.2 to 1.7); being Burley tobacco farmers (ORAdj, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.8); and having a low family quality of life (ORAdj, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.4 to 0.6). CONCLUSION The majority of the tobacco farmers had a declining quality of life, particularly economic and environmental quality of life, resulting in reducing growing tobacco. National and regional support are needed to help these farmers effectively grow alternative crops, and financial support to make such conversions.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deteriorating Quality of Life and a Desire to Stop Growing Tobacco Among Virginia and Burley Tobacco Farmers in Thailand

Phetphum

Prajongjeep

Keeratisiroj

et al. 2022

JCO Global Oncology

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“…The most studied pesticides are organophosphates, which are neurotoxic and have been associated with mental health problems such as depression [14,16,[43][44][45] and cognitive deficits [46]. Other analyses within the overall scope of this study indicated that pesticide poisoning doubled the risk of suicidal ideation [47]. Children and adolescents are probably more susceptible to chemical exposure since they are in a period of maturation of their endocrine system, and such exposure could alter the delicate hormonal balance and their biofeedback mechanisms [24,25].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Child Labor in Family Tobacco Farms in Southern Brazil: Occupational Exposure and Related Health Problems

Fassa

Faria

Szortyka

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Tobacco farming is considered Hazardous Child Labor in Brazil. This study examined the work of children and adolescents in tobacco farming, characterizing the level of urinary cotinine and the occurrence of Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS), pesticide poisoning, respiratory symptoms, and musculoskeletal disorders. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a random sample of tobacco growers under 18 years old in Southern Brazil. Ninety-nine young people were interviewed at 79 family farms. The majority began working in agriculture before they were 14 and worked harvesting and tying hands of tobacco; 60% were 16 or 17 years old, and 51.5% were male. During their lifetime, 24.5% reported GTS, and 3% reported pesticide poisoning. In the previous year, 29.3% reported low back pain, 6.1% wheezing, and 16.2% coughing without having a cold. Half of the 12 young people evaluated had over 100 ng/mL of urinary cotinine. The study indicates that child laborers do various activities and present a high prevalence of health problems. Health workers should be trained to identify child laborers and their impacts on health. Full-time farm schools could provide knowledge about sustainable agricultural production, reducing the rates of age-grade mismatch, without taking young people away from rural areas.

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“…On the other hand, farmers often take out loans to finance production and eventually end up in debt. Evaluating this aspect is essential since studies indicate that difficulty in repaying debts 13,30 , as well as a decline in agricultural production 37 -or other indicators of poorer economic conditions-were an important risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes. Pluriactivity, or part-time farming, has grown since income sources from non-agricultural activities can increase income and quality of life, contributing to the retention of these workers in agricultural activities.…”

Section: Economic Indicatorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…with the interviewers could lead to underreporting of symptoms, underestimating the magnitude of the mental health problem (information bias) 13,30,42 .…”

Section: Interviewersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological occupational studies in rural areas: methodological challenges

Faria,

Meucci,

Fassa

2023

Rev. bras. saúde ocup.

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Introduction: agricultural production in Brazil has grown in recent decades, and rural workers are exposed to many occupational risks. Epidemiological studies on the topic remain limited, especially regarding methodological complexity. Objectives: to present the main methodological challenges to carrying out occupational epidemiological studies in rural areas. Methods: the considerations presented in this article are based on the literature and on the experience of the authors as researchers of this thematic. Results: we approached concepts about target population, living and working place, workers classification, and agricultural production context characterization. We discussed sampling strategies, characterization of economic indicators, including agricultural production and mechanization level, pesticide exposure, such as chemical types, forms, and frequency of exposure, pesticide poisonings, and availability and use of personal protective equipment. We described the necessary care with biological samples and aspects involving interviewers, training, field work, and clinical and logistical issues. Conclusion: despite the methodological and logistical challenges, adequate planning enables successful research studies, of great complexity and high scientific level, about the health-work relationship in agricultural activity.

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Suicidality among South Brazilian tobacco growers

Cited by 10 publications

References 39 publications

Deteriorating Quality of Life and a Desire to Stop Growing Tobacco Among Virginia and Burley Tobacco Farmers in Thailand

Deteriorating Quality of Life and a Desire to Stop Growing Tobacco Among Virginia and Burley Tobacco Farmers in Thailand

Child Labor in Family Tobacco Farms in Southern Brazil: Occupational Exposure and Related Health Problems

Epidemiological occupational studies in rural areas: methodological challenges

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