Structural Equation Modeling of Pesticide Poisoning, Depression, Safety, and Injury

Depression in Brazilian farmers: prevalence and associated factors

BACKGROUND

The unique characteristics of rural areas and agricultural work can contribute to the genesis of diseases, including mental disorders such as depression.

AIMS

To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with depression symptoms in Brazilian farmers.

METHODS

A cross-sectional epidemiological study involving 784 farmers of the state of Espírito Santo/Brazil was carried out. Depression was identified using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to assess the associated factors.

RESULTS

The prevalence of depression symptoms among farmers was 16.8% (n = 132). Of those experiencing symptoms, 6.1% (n = 48) we're currently experiencing a depressive episode, and 10.7% (n = 84) a recurrent depressive episodes. The associated factors were: female gender (OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.04-2.54), not owning the land (OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.11-2.89), professional dissatisfaction (OR 1.99; 95% CI 1.18-3.35), previous pesticide poisoning (OR 2.87; 95% CI 1.45-5.67), complex multimorbidity (OR 1.95; 95% CI 1.15-3.31) and occurrence of previous depressive episodes (OR 9.83; 95% CI 4.39-21.99).

CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of depression symptoms was identified among rural workers. Sociodemographic, occupational, clinical, and professional dissatisfaction factors were associated with a higher risk of depression symptoms in this population.

Redox imbalance and inflammation: A link to depression risk in brazilian pesticide-exposed farmers

This study aims to elucidate the mechanisms linking occupational pesticide exposure to depression among rural workers from Maravilha, Brazil. We assessed the mental health, oxidative, and inflammatory profiles of farmers exposed to pesticides (N = 28) and compared them to an urban control group without occupational exposure to pesticides (N = 25). Data on sociodemographic, occupational history, and clinical records were collected. Emotional states were evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Biochemical, hematological, inflammatory, and redox parameters were examined in blood samples from both groups. Results showed educational disparities between groups and unveiled a concerning underutilization of personal protective equipment (PPEs) among farmers. Glyphosate was the predominant pesticide used by farmers. Farmers exhibited higher BDI scores, including more severe cases of depression. Additionally, elevated levels of creatinine, ALT, AST, and LDH were observed in farmers, suggesting potential renal and hepatic issues due to pesticide exposure. Oxidative stress markers, such as increased lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, along with decreased catalase (CAT) activity and ascorbic acid levels, were noted in the pesticide-exposed group compared to controls. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, were also observed in pesticide-exposed group. Our findings suggest that inflammation, oxidative distress and lower educational levels may be associated with depression in pesticide-exposed farmers. This study highlights the impact of occupational pesticide exposure on the mental health of rural workers. The underuse of PPEs and the link between depressive symptoms, inflammation, and oxidative stress underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures in agricultural practices. Addressing these issues will contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate relationship between environmental exposures and mental health outcomes.

Could pesticide exposure be implicated in the high incidence rates of depression, anxiety and suicide in farmers? A systematic review

Pesticide exposure and poisoning may rise the risk of mental health problems and suicidal tendencies. To explore the potential connection between chronic occupational exposure to pesticides and depression, anxiety, and suicide-related outcomes in farmers, a systematic review was performed. Systematic review protocol is available in PROSPERO registration number CRD42022316285. A total of fifty-seven studies met inclusion criteria: twenty-nine on depression or other mental disorders, twelve on suicide (two of them on both depression and suicide), and fourteen on pesticide poisoning or self-poisoning and death. Among the fifty-seven selected studies, eighteen were conducted in Asia, seventeen in North America, fourteen in South America, seven in European Union, one in Africa, and one in Australia/Oceania. Selected studies demonstrated an increased prevalence of depressive disorders in farmworkers exposed to pesticides as well as an increased self-reported prevalence of depression in this population. Moreover, previous pesticide poisoning increased the risk estimates for depression or other mental disorders as compared with chronic pesticide exposure. Severe pesticide poisoning and multiple poisoning showed increased risks of depressive symptoms compared with milder cases. In addition, financial difficulties and poor health were positively correlated with depression. Among studies on suicide, nine of them found that suicide rates increased in areas devoted to agriculture with intensive pesticide consumption. Moreover, studies demonstrate a higher suicide risk among farmers. The present review suggests more attention to the farmer's mental health and more detailed studies on occupational exposure to the mixture of these compounds.

Pesticide exposure and the physical and economic health of US crop workers

We examine the impact of pesticide exposure on crop worker health and earnings using 2002 through 2016 data from the US Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration's National Agricultural Workers Survey. Our findings show that pesticide exposure is positively related to certain health conditions and that wage patterns are consistent with compensating wage differentials. The offsetting impacts of these equilibrium aspects are limited by how wage premia for assumed health risks depend on worker bargaining power and agency. We document differences for undocumented versus documented workers with implications for compensation and occupational health policies in this labor-intensive, essential sector.

Risk for Depressive Symptoms and Suicide Among U.S. Primary Farmers and Family Members: A Systematic Literature Review

Background: About 84% of the agriculture, fishing, and forestry occupational sector is comprised of farmers. This sector is at high risk for suicide in the United States. Recent disasters and trade upheavals may make farmers and their families more vulnerable to depression and suicide. This review focused on the risk for depression and suicide among United States’ primary farm operators and their families. Methods: A systematic search of the literature published between January 2000 and June 2019, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was conducted. Results: A total of 30 articles met full inclusion criteria. Seventeen reports emanated from the midwest. Twenty studies used a cross-sectional design, primarily assessing a convenience sample or random stratified sample from a limited geographic area. We discovered only one intervention evaluation study. Depressive symptoms were assessed as part of the studies, but it was not the major focus. A variety of instruments measured depressive symptoms, with the Centers for Disease Control Epidemiologic Studies—Depression (CES-D) Scale used more frequently than other scales. Thirteen studies focused on the relationship between pesticide/chemical exposure and depression or suicide risk. Increased stress, poor physical health, compromised financial position, and previous injury were among the leading indicators of depression. Conclusion/Application to Practice: The limited number of studies that was discovered identified the need for more robust science where the risk for depression and suicide is the primary focus of the study and for intervention studies grounded in science. Occupational health providers should be vigilant about farm exposure and be aware of factors that may influence depressive symptoms of workers who operate farm establishments.

Ambient temperature and pesticide poisoning: a time-series analysis

Limited studies have explored the association between ambient temperature and the disease burden of pesticide poisoning. Our study aims to estimate associations between daily mean temperature and pesticide poisoning incidence with lag effect. A distributed lag nonlinear model with Poisson distribution was used to examine the nonlinear lagged effects of ambient temperature on pesticide poisoning incidence. Overall, the estimated effects of temperature on pesticide poisoning incidence were non-linear, with higher relative risks (RRs) at hotter temperatures. It was found that the high temperature had acute and short-term effects and then declined rapidly along the lag days with the maximum risk occurring 0 day of exposure. Considering the 5-day cumulative RR for daily mean temperature, the temperature generally showed a positive association with the pesticide poisoning incidence, achieving the maximum risk at 31°C. In general, pesticide poisoning incidence increased with higher temperatures, with the strongest effects occurring shortly.

Pesticide exposure, tobacco use, poor self-perceived health and presence of chronic disease are determinants of depressive symptoms among coffee growers from Southeast Brazil

The lifestyle and other factors associated with the appearance of several health conditions that affect quality of life in rural zone is an issue that has been increasingly explored. Brazil is the largest coffee-producing nation in the world and has been a considerable consumer of pesticides since 2008. The aim of the present study was to investigate factors that could be contributing to the appearance of depressive symptoms in rural workers. Two hundred twenty male volunteers from nine cities in Southeast Brazil completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) questionnaire about depressive symptoms and provided other information about socio-demographic characteristics and additional confounding factors. The adjusted multivariate logistic analysis demonstrated that pesticide exposure, tobacco use, poor self-perceived health and the presence of chronic disease contribute as risk factors for the appearance of depressive symptoms at a level above ups and downs considered normal in the BDI-II. This survey contributes to the search for solutions to improve quality of life and mental health in the rural living to the extent that social determinants of depression are being investigated.

Pesticide poisoning and neurobehavioral function among farm workers in Jiangsu, People's Republic of China

Pesticides remain an integral part of agricultural activities worldwide. Although there have been a number of studies over the last two decades concerning the adverse effects of pesticide poisoning and chronic long term exposures on neurobehavioral function, the impact of recent pesticide poisoning and long term pesticide exposure on neurobehavioral function in Chinese farm workers has not been reported. China is the largest user of pesticides worldwide and figures suggest 53,300-123,000 Chinese people are poisoned every year. A case control study was conducted to examine the impact of recent pesticide poisoning on neurobehavioral function and the relationship between years worked in agriculture and lower performance on neurobehavioral tests. A total of 121 farm workers who self-reported recent pesticide poisonings within the previous 12 months (case group) and 80 farm workers who reported no pesticide poisoning in the previous 12 months (control group) were recruited from three areas of Jiangsu Province, China. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended neurobehavioral core test battery (NCTB) was used to assess neurobehavioral functioning among cases and controls. Student's t tests and two-way covariance analysis (ANCOVA) were used to test for significant differences in the neurobehavioral test results between the groups. Scores on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) in the recently poisoned group were significantly higher for anger-hostility, depression-dejection, tension-anxiety and lower for vigor-activity compared to controls (p < .05). Digit span, digit symbol, Benton visual retention and pursuit aiming scores were all significantly lower among the recently poisoned group compared to the controls (p < .05). Two-way ANCOVA indicated significantly lower performance in correct pursuit aiming and higher error pursuit aiming amongst the recently poisoned group and those who had worked for more than 30 years in agriculture (p < .05). These findings provide important preliminary epidemiological evidence regarding the association between occupational pesticide exposure and neurobehavioral functioning in Chinese farm workers.