Citation

Cruzeiro Szortyka ALS, Faria NMX, Carvalho MP, Feijó FR, Meucci RD, Flesch BD, Fiori NS, Fassa AG. Neurotoxicology 2021; 86: 52-58.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.neuro.2021.06.005

PMID

34214458

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt among South Brazilian tobacco growers and to analyze the associated factors related to the suicidal ideation.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011 with a random sample of 2469 tobacco growers in São Lourenço do Sul/RS. Suicidal ideation was characterized by the question "Has the thought of ending your life been on your mind?". Suicide attempt was assessed by the question "Have you ever tried to kill yourself?". Investigation of factors associated with suicidal ideation was done by means of Poisson regression.
RESULTS: Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt was 2.5 % and 1.2 % respectively. In the adjusted analysis, suicidal ideation was associated with being female, older age, moderate participation in religious activities and difficulty in paying debts. Those who worked in activities that required inadequate postures (hunched over or other forced positions), as well as farmers who performed 6-9 pesticide-related tasks demonstrated greater risk of suicidal ideation. Regarding health conditions, medical diagnosis of asthma, chronic low back pain, number of lifetime green tobacco sickness episodes and lifetime pesticide poisoning were positively associated with suicidal ideation.
CONCLUSION: Suicidal thoughts and attempts are relevant mental health problems among tobacco growers. Reducing pesticide use, as well as exposure to nicotine and improving socio-economic conditions, can reduce suicidal ideation and improve the mental health of exposed workers.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Adult; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Socioeconomic Factors; Adolescent; Brazil; Young Adult; Agriculture; Occupational Exposure; Suicidal Ideation; Suicide, Attempted; Surveys and Questionnaires; Suicide attempt; Suicidal ideation; Pesticides; Tobacco; Worker health; Nicotiana; Occupational; Pesticide neurotoxicity