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Ravi P, Muralidhar K, Ngaybe MGB, Nanjaiah S, Jayakrishna P, Lowe AA, Krupp K, Wilson AM, von Hippel FA, Chen Z, Gerald LB, Madhivanan P. Qualitative Study to Explore the Occupational and Reproductive Health Challenges among Women Tobacco Farm Laborers in Mysore District, India. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:606. [PMID: 38791820 PMCID: PMC11121108 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Tobacco farm laborers are primarily women and children working for very low wages. The aim of this study was to explore occupational and reproductive health challenges faced by women tobacco farm laborers in Mysore District, India. We conducted interviews and six focus group discussions among 41 women tobacco farm laborers. Codes and themes were generated based on deductive and inductive approaches using the socioecological model. Participants reported symptoms of green tobacco sickness including headaches, back pain, gastric problems, weakness, and allergies during menstruation, pre-natal, and post-natal periods. Participants had poor awareness about the health effects of tobacco farming, and there were gender inequalities in wages and the use of personal protective equipment. Participants received support from family and community health workers during their pregnancy and post-natal period. Women reported wanting maternity benefits from the tobacco board, as well as monetary support and nutritional supplements. There is a need for health education about the environmental dangers of tobacco among farm laborers, and more supportive policies for women farmworkers during pregnancy and post-natal periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Ravi
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA (P.M.)
| | | | - Maiya G. Block Ngaybe
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA (P.M.)
| | - Shivamma Nanjaiah
- Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
| | - Poornima Jayakrishna
- Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
| | - Ashley A. Lowe
- Advanced Nursing Practice and Science Division, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
- Asthma & Airway Disease Research Center, University of Arizona Health Sciences, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
| | - Karl Krupp
- Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
- Public Health Practice, Policy, and Translational Research Department, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Amanda M. Wilson
- Community, Environment & Policy Department, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (A.M.W.)
| | - Frank A. von Hippel
- Community, Environment & Policy Department, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; (A.M.W.)
| | - Zhao Chen
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Lynn B. Gerald
- Office of Population Health Sciences, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Purnima Madhivanan
- Department of Health Promotion Sciences, Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA (P.M.)
- Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII), Mysore 570020, Karnataka, India
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Zanchi MM, Marafon F, Marins K, Bagatini MD, Zamoner A. Redox imbalance and inflammation: A link to depression risk in brazilian pesticide-exposed farmers. Toxicology 2024; 501:153706. [PMID: 38097130 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2023.153706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Magalhães Zanchi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Signaling, Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88037-000 SC, Brazil
| | - Filomena Marafon
- Laboratory of Cell Culture, Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, 89815-899 SC, Brazil
| | - Katiuska Marins
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Signaling, Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88037-000 SC, Brazil
| | - Margarete Dulce Bagatini
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Signaling, Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88037-000 SC, Brazil
| | - Ariane Zamoner
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Cell Signaling, Department of Biochemistry, Center of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, 88037-000 SC, Brazil.
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