Perception with Artificial Intelligence of the health risk of riverside farmers who use pesticides

Abstract

The excessive use of pesticides in Brazilian agribusiness poses significant health risks, particularly to rural communities. To address this issue, it is crucial to implement a comprehensive program of toxicology studies and workforce qualification, ensuring proper monitoring and minimizing health hazards. This research aimed to assess the perception of health risks associated with pesticide use among riverside farmers in the municipalities of Petrolina (PE) and Juazeiro (BA). Between January and July 2022, a data collection was conducted involving a homogeneous sample of 60 farmers from each municipality. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to conduct a study on risk perception, employing the expanded SUS questionnaire "A" through a mobile application. Prior consent was obtained through the Free and Informed Consent Form. The collected data were analyzed using Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Neural Networks. The research findings revealed an inadequate understanding of health risks among riverside farmers in both groups, with a particular need for knowledge improvement in the community of Petrolina (PE). To enhance farmers' awareness and perception of risks, it is imperative to implement comprehensive educational policies and adopt a health management approach that emphasizes the farmer's relationship with the environment. Furthermore, effective communication strategies must be employed to convey the health risks associated with pesticide use. Municipal governments should actively support these initiatives to foster positive change in the agricultural sector.