The health Care Management of farmers who use pesticides in Northeast Brazil: use of pesticides and the Care Management

Abstract

In Brazil, the health of communities that use pesticides is still neglected due to the lack of greater social understanding of damage to health and an insufficient care network. The objective of the research was to investigate health management practices, from the perspective of the expanded health care network (RAS), focusing on riverside farmers who use pesticides in the municipalities of Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA) in the Northeast of Brazil. The study aimed to explore these practices from the perspective of the healthcare network (RAS). This is a qualitative research, with a methodological framework based on the Grounded Theory in a constructivist way (CGT). Twenty-six health professionals and RAS managers participated, at the municipal and regional levels in Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA). Two sample groups were composed for data collection, carried out through semi-structured interviews. The analysis resulted in six categories, which, when integrated, made up the theoretical model “Model of care management for riverside farmers”. The RAS must have teams trained in the care of riverside farmers who use pesticides in primary care, and specialized teams in secondary and tertiary care, who are a reference. The theoretical model formulated considers that the RAS, strengthened in terms of diversity of actions and services, will provide better care management for farmers.