Pregnant rural worker: occupational harms and risks

Abstract

The gestational process requires prenatal followup, and the aspects related to the working environment of pregnant women must be considered. This study aimed to present the occupational harms and risks in the labor processes of pregnant rural workers. The qualitative research was conducted in six units of the Family Health Strategy that cover the rural area of a city in the West of Santa Catarina. Seven pregnant rural workers, four physicians, and four nurses participated in this study. For data collection, we conducted semi-structured interviews and observations of the working environments of the pregnant women. The results indicate that in the labor activity of the pregnant women there are several exposures to chemical, physical, biological, accidental, and ergonomic risks, potentially exacerbated because the non-use of personal protective equipment. Facing this reality, we highlight the importance of new studies that seek to identify risks and means to mitigate the occupational problems of pregnant rural workers.