ARTIGO ORIGINAL DE TEMA LIVRE SAÚDE VOCAL DOS AGRICULTORES DE ALTA PRECISÃO E DA AGRICULTURA FAMILIAR

Objective: To characterize and compare the occurrence of laryngeal signs and vocal symptoms in high-precision farmers and in those of family farming. Methods: Analytical and descriptive cross-sectional study of quantitative approach. The survey included 40 male farmers, 20 high-precision farmers (average of 33.25 years old) and 20 of family farming (average of 33.30 years old). All subjects answered a questionnaire composed of objective questions on voice self-perception. Data were analyzed descriptively and statistically using two nonparametric tests, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson’s chi-square, adopting a significance level of 5%. Results: Farmers making use of family farming have longer career time in such profession, work more hours in a daily basis, present a greater amount of vocal symptoms and laryngeal signs, besides a higher index of direct contact with pesticides compared to high-precision farmers. However, there was no emphasis on the occurrence of any vocal symptom or specific laryngeal sign to a specific type of agriculture. Conclusions: The results characterize the studied group as of risk for the development of vocal and laryngeal diseases.