Inquérito com trabalhadoras rurais: exposição a agrotóxicos e as implicações na saúde da mulher

Abstract

Exposure to agricultural chemical substances can result in endocrine-disrupting, mutagenic, teratogenic, and carcinogenic effects, manifesting before, during, and after conception. Furthermore, it may affect the adult reproductive system and cause epigenetic changes, impacting future generations. In light of this, the objective of this study was to assess pesticide exposure and its implications for the reproductive health of female farmers. This is a cross-sectional study conducted from March to August 2025, targeting female farmers residing in Santa Cruz do Sul. Eligible participants were women aged 18 years or older who were members of the Family Farmers Workers’ Union (STAF) of Santa Cruz do Sul and surrounding areas (Sinimbu, Vale do Sol, and Herveiras). Women with cognitive or physical disabilities that could compromise their participation in the study, or those who had never worked in agriculture, were excluded from the sample. Participants were selected probabilistically based on the membership list provided by STAF. Data were collected through interviews using a pre-tested questionnaire developed for the study, which included sociodemographic variables, reproductive outcomes (dependent variables), and pesticide exposure (independent variables). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics (n, %) and analysis of the distribution of outcomes according to independent variables through the chi-square test, adopting a statistical significance level of p<0.05. The sample consisted of 108 women aged 60 years or older (60.2%), predominantly white (99.1%), with low educational attainment (64,8%), married or living with a partner (63.9%), and with children (94.1%). The prevalence of pesticide exposure was almost universal (97.2%), with indirect contact being the most frequent. It was found that the occurrence of at least one negative reproductive outcome was significantly associated with the duration of pesticide exposure (p=0.001). A statistically significant relationship was observed between previous reproductive surgeries and remaining in the same area during pesticide application (p=0.037); menstrual irregularity and reports of discomfort after pesticide exposure (p=0.049); infertility and discomfort after pesticide exposure (p=0.011); and spontaneous abortion with the dilution and preparation of pesticide mixtures (p=0.006). Most of the findings corroborate the current literature and demonstrate that pesticide exposure may be related to the occurrence of adverse reproductive outcomes among female farmers. Thus, this study reinforces the need for prevention and health surveillance in light of the vulnerability caused by chronic occupational exposure among rural women.