Pesticidas sin Control: Impacto del Uso Frecuente en la Calidad de Vida babahoyense. Babahoyo 2022

The use of pesticides in agriculture is common, although little is known about their direct effects on the health of workers. For this reason, the objective of this research was to identify the immediate and long-term effects of the improper use of pesticides on the population of Canton Babahoyo, Ecuador, during the year 2022. Through a correlational study with a quantitative approach, 300 farmers who work or live near crop areas where pesticides are used were surveyed. The results showed that 57.7% of participants believe that pesticides cause health problems, although only 34.2% are aware of the specific risks associated with these products. The most common symptoms reported were respiratory issues (48.7%) and skin problems such as irritation (37.8%). Regarding diseases, respiratory conditions were the most frequent (52.4%), followed by dermatological issues (31.8%). Far behind were gastrointestinal and neurological diseases, which together did not exceed 15%. Although there is a general awareness of the health problems linked to pesticide use, the data reflects a dangerously high level of exposure among farmers. This is largely due to the lack of detailed information about the risks posed by these substances.