Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women farmers concerning tobacco agriculture in a municipality in Southern Brazil

Abstract: The study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of women farmers working in tobacco production concerning the social, environmental, and health impacts of this economic activity. Focus groups were used in this qualitative study, and themes were explored until reaching saturation. The study was conducted in a municipality (county) in southern Brazil in 2013 and included 64 women farmers. The discussions revealed participants’ familiarity with health problems associated with workloads in tobacco production: green tobacco sickness, pesticide poisoning, musculoskeletal disorders, and others. The discussions also revealed a concern with the negative impacts of tobacco agriculture on the environment. They also revealed apprehension concerning decisions on switching to alternatives for sustainable agricultural production, emphasizing that on-going and systematic government support would be necessary for such a transition. Women farmers identified various factors that contribute to the persistence of tobacco farming: small holdings for cultivation, lack of guarantees for marketing crops, and indebtedness to tobacco companies. The study showed that an integrated approach is needed to deal with tobacco farmers’ problems, considering a balance between farmers’ beliefs and government decisions. This approach, in keeping with the recommendations of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, may help strengthen policies and measures to promote health and sustainable local development.

摘要：本研究旨在探究从事烟草种植的女性农户对该经济活动所带来的社会、环境与健康影响的认知、态度及实践行为。本项质性研究采用焦点小组法，直至主题饱和方才停止数据收集。该研究于2013年在巴西南部某自治市（县）开展，共纳入64名女性农户。研讨结果显示，研究对象均知晓烟草种植劳作相关的健康问题：烟草绿色病（green tobacco sickness）、农药中毒、肌肉骨骼疾病等。研讨同时还揭示了她们对烟草种植业给环境带来负面影响的担忧。此外，研究对象对于转向可持续农业生产替代方案的决策亦存在顾虑，她们强调，此类转型需要政府提供持续且系统化的扶持。女性农户还指出了导致烟草种植持续存在的多项因素：种植规模狭小、作物销售缺乏保障、以及对烟草公司的债务负担。本研究表明，需采用综合路径应对烟草种植户面临的各类问题，兼顾农户的观念与政府决策之间的平衡。该路径契合《世界卫生组织烟草控制框架公约》（WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control）的相关建议，有助于强化促进健康与本地可持续发展的政策与举措。