Health Profiles and Functional Independence in Former Cane Cutters from a Biofuel Plant in Bahia

Abstract

Introduction: Brazil leads the production of sugarcane and its derived commodities, sugar and ethanol. The fact that it is predominantly manually harvested exposes the workers to a variety of health hazards. Since the harvest is a labor activity that exacts from the worker a heavy physical toll, involving the exertion of quick, repetitive movements that intensely overburden both one’s muscles and skeletal frame. Objective: To assess the health profile and functional independence in former workers who operated in a biofuel plant in Bahia. Methods: This is a descriptive, exploration-oriented study conducted with 42 workers formerly employed as cane cutters, both male and female and over 18 years old, all of them living in the town of Amélia Rodrigues (BA). The self-administered Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was used to measure their quality of life, based on the World Health Organization’s classification of disabilities; the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) metrics was employed to keep track of functional independence. The FIM focuses on two aspects, motile and cognitive, subdivided further into categories designed to assess individual independence in tackling basic activities effectively and satisfactorily. Results: 42 individuals were assessed, most of them men (54.8%), predominantly adults (73.8%) of African descent (61.9%). Evidence, along with the correlation coefficient to analyze the FIM and the NHP, presents a significance level of 0.05 in the categories: Total NHP, Energy Level, Pain and Physical Abilities. Conclusion: This study found that there is harm to the health of former cane cutters as far as their sleep, energy levels and physical abilities are concerned. With these remarks, the authors expect to motivate health surveillance efforts regarding the risks in those work environments and the associated health issues, so that preventive and interventive public health measures can be implemented.