Pesticide exposure and health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina.

Agricultural workers represent a population that is highly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticide exposure. This cross sectional study aimed to describe the health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina, their work practices and socio-demographic characteristics, by means of a standardized self-administered questionnaire (n = 880). A descriptive analysis reported a high prevalence of occasional or frequent symptoms: 47.4% had symptoms of irritation, 35.5% fatigue, 40.4% headache and 27.6% nervousness or depression. Using logistic regression models, risk and protective factors were found for symptoms of irritation, medical consultation and hospitalization. Among the occupational exposure variables, marital status, length of time in the job, low level of protection with regard to the use of personal protective equipment, combined use of different pesticides and the application of the insecticide endosulfan, were associated with a higher frequency of reported symptoms and higher consultation rates and hospitalization.

Pesticide exposure and health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina / Exposición a plaguicidas y condiciones de salud de agroaplicadores terrestres de la Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina / Exposição aos agrotóxicos e condições de saúde dos aplicadores de pesticidas da Província de Córdoba, Argentina

Agricultural workers represent a population that is highly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticide exposure. This cross sectional study aimed to describe the health conditions of terrestrial pesticide applicators in Córdoba Province, Argentina, their work practices and socio-demographic characteristics, by means of a standardized self-administered questionnaire (n = 880). A descriptive analysis reported a high prevalence of occasional or frequent symptoms: 47.4% had symptoms of irritation, 35.5% fatigue, 40.4% headache and 27.6% nervousness or depression. Using logistic regression models, risk and protective factors were found for symptoms of irritation, medical consultation and hospitalization. Among the occupational exposure variables, marital status, length of time in the job, low level of protection with regard to the use of personal protective equipment, combined use of different pesticides and the application of the insecticide endosulfan, were associated with a higher frequency of reported symptoms and higher consultation rates and hospitalization.

Los trabajadores agrícolas son una población altamente vulnerable a los efectos tóxicos de la exposición a plaguicidas. Con el objetivo de describir las condiciones de salud de agroaplicadores terrestres de plaguicidas de la Provincia de Córdoba, Argentina, sus prácticas laborales y características sociodemográficas, se realizó un estudio transversal, mediante cuestionario (n = 880). Un análisis descriptivo reportó alta prevalencia de sintomatología ocasional o frecuente: 47,4% síntomas irritativos, 35,5% cansancio, 40,4% cefalea y 27,6% ansiedad o depresión. Mediante modelos logísticos se detectaron factores protectores y de riesgo que explican la presencia de síntomas irritativos, la consulta médica y la hospitalización. El estado civil, la antigüedad en la tarea, el nivel de protección considerando uso de equipo de protección personal, la exposición múltiple a plaguicidas y la aplicación del insecticida endosulfán, se asociaron a mayor frecuencia de reporte de síntomas, consultas médicas y hospitalizaciones por causas relacionadas con la exposición a plaguicidas.

Os trabalhadores agrícolas são uma população altamente vulnerável aos efeitos tóxicos da exposição a pesticidas. Este estudo transversal teve o objetivo de descrever as condições de saúde de aplicadores terrestres de pesticidas da Província de Córdoba, Argentina, suas práticas de trabalho e características sociodemográficas, por meio de um questionário padronizado autoadministrado (n = 880). A análise descritiva relatou alta prevalência de sintomas ocasionais ou frequentes: 47,4% sintomas irritativos, 35,5% fadiga, 40,4% dor de cabeça e 27,6% ansiedade ou depressão. Mediante modelos logísticos foram detectados os fatores protetores e do risco que explicam a presença de sintomas irritativos, consulta médica e hospitalização. O estado civil, anos de trabalho, o nível de proteção considerando o uso de equipamentos de proteção individual, a exposição a vários pesticidas e aplicação do inseticida endosulfan, foram associados com maior frequência de sintomas, consultas médicas e hospitalização por causas relacionadas à exposição ao agrotóxico.

Satisfacción Laboral y Síndrome de Desgaste Laboral en Enfermeros de Hospitales Públicos Córdoba–Argentina / Ob Satisfaction and Professional Wear Syndrome of Nurses Working in Public Hospitals of Córdoba–Argentina

La falta de satisfacción laboral sumada a características propias de cada persona, actuarían como condicionantes para la aparición del Síndrome Burnout (BO), enfermedad laboral que afecta a profesionales expuestos a condiciones psicosociales desfavorables en su medio laboral.El objetivo de esta investigación fue determinar el nivel de satisfacción laboral, la prevalencia del BO y su relación con variables socio demográficas, en profesionales de enfermería de hospitales públicos de Córdoba, Argentina, bajo la hipótesis de que existe relación directa entre la falta de satisfacción laboral y BO. Se seleccionó una muestra de enfermeros profesionales, a quienes se les suministró una encuesta sociodemográfica, un cuestionario de satisfacción laboral y el Maslach Burnout Inventory. De un estudio cuantitativo aplicando distintas metodologías estadísticas, como Análisis Factorial de Correspondencias Múltiples (AFCM), Regresión Logística y Contrastes de Independencia para variables ordinales, la población estudiada se clasificó como satisfecha y muy satisfecha, sin embargo, casi un cuarto de la misma padece algún grado de BO. Se establece en esta muestra, un perfil de riesgo para BO o alguno de sus tres componentes, a quienes tienen más de 40 años, no tienen hijos ni pareja, viven en el interior de la Provincia, no están satisfechos laboralmente y trabajan prioritariamente en hospitales provinciales (AU)

The lack of job satisfaction added each person´s own characteristics would function as determining factors in the appearance of the Burnout Syndrome (BO) which is a job illness that affects professionals who are exposed to unfavorable psychosocial conditions in their labor environment.The aim of this investigation was to determine the level of job dissatisfaction, the prevalence of BO andits relationship with socio demographic variables, in professional nurses working in public hospitals of Cordoba, Argentina, based on the hypothesis that there is a direct relationship between the lack of job satisfaction and BO. Professional nurses were selected and they were provided with a socio demographic survey, a questionnaire of job satisfaction and the Maslach Burnout Inventory.From a quantitative study applying different statistical methodologies like: Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA), Logistic Regression and Contrasts of Independence for ordinary variables, the studied population was classified as satisfied and very satisfied. However, almost a quarter suffer from some grade of BO.Some BO risk or some of its three components are established to those people who are over 40 years old, without children and live outside the Province. They are not satisfied with their jobs and they work mainly in provincial hospitals (AU)