Strategies used by nurses regarding underreporting of rural work accidents due to pesticide use

TL;DR

This study explores strategies nurses use to address underreporting of pesticide-related accidents in rural areas of Brazil.

Contribution

The paper identifies practical strategies to improve reporting of pesticide-related occupational accidents by nurses in rural healthcare.

Findings

Nurses suggest lifelong education for professionals involved in reporting pesticide-related accidents.

Computerizing the notification process through online forms is proposed as a solution.

Training workers who handle pesticides is highlighted as a key strategy.

Abstract

To learn the strategies used regarding underreporting of pesticide use in rural areas.

A qualitative study was carried out in eight primary healthcare units in rural areas and two emergency care units in a municipality in southern Brazil. Data collection took place in 2023 through interviews. Twenty professional nurses participated. The data was submitted to content analysis.

The strategies identified were lifelong and continuing education for the professionals who carry out the notification, active search and training of workers who deal directly with this type of substance, computerizing the notification by filling in the forms online, and carrying out research on the subject.

Nurses play an important role in reporting occupational accidents caused by the use of pesticides, improving occupational safety in rural areas.

Conhecer as estratégias utilizadas acerca das subnotificações por uso de agrotóxicos no meio rural.

Estudo qualitativo realizado em oito unidades básicas de regiões rurais e duas unidades de pronto atendimento de um município do sul do Brasil. A coleta de dados deu-se em 2023, por entrevistas. Participaram 20 profissionais enfermeiros. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo.

Apontaram como estratégias a realização da educação permanente e continuada dos profissionais que realizam a notificação, a busca ativa e a capacitação dos trabalhadores que lidam diretamente com esse tipo de substância, a informatização da notificação por meio do preenchimento das fichas online e a realização de pesquisas acerca da temática.

Os enfermeiros desempenham um papel importante na notificação de acidentes de trabalho pelo uso de agrotóxicos, melhorando a segurança ocupacional no meio rural.

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