Assessment of the Risk of Occupational Cancer in Agricultural Workers in the Municipalities of the Portal do Sertão Identity Territory and the Metropolitan Region of Feira de Santana, Bahia

Objective: Assess the risk of workers becoming ill or dying from cancer in the municipalities of the Portal do Sertão Identity Territory and the Metropolitan Region of Feira de Santana, Bahia. Theoretical Framework: This is an epidemiological case-control study where an association measure, the odds ratio (OR), was used to verify the relationship between cancer and agricultural work. Method: The present study used hospital cancer records managed by the National Cancer Institute (RHC/INCA), data from death certificates from the Health Department of the State of Bahia (SESAB) and population information from IBGE. Results and Discussion: The results found indicated a strong association between agricultural work, illness and deaths from cancer in all municipalities studied. The highest OR value found for men was in the municipality of Terra Nova: 5.3 (95%CI: 3.4 - 8.3). For women, Tanquinho was the municipality with the highest OR value: 6.5 (95%CI:4.1 - 10.4). Research Implications: The results of the present study can be used in unions, social organizations, among other organizations to highlight the effects of the use of pesticides on affected populations with a view to seeking another model of agricultural production. Originality/Value: This is the first epidemiological study that addresses the relationship between cancer and agricultural work in the municipalities of the Portal do Sertão Identity Territory and the Metropolitan Region of Feira de Santana.