Perception of health advisors on pesticides: The role of social participation in a sick society

Abstract

This study aimed to know the perception of health advisors on pesticides. This is an exploratory study with a qualitative approach, using the focal group technique for data collection and French discourse analysis for the interpretation of results. Two groups were defined with members of three Local Health Councils of Curitiba-PR. In the perception of the groups, pesticide was related to poison, but was also considered an economic necessity. The groups recognize the impact of agrochemicals on health and the environment; however, they point out that their use is necessary to ensure agricultural production. The topic of pesticides has not been addressed at the health council meetings, and its members have reported not feeling empowered enough to discuss this issue, not perceiving themselves as subjects of transformation. Given this scenario, it is necessary to propose actions that allow the debate and problematize situations-limits, aiming to assume counselors as subjects in order to promote the understanding of reality for a more critical and transformative action.