Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the health of peasant workers in the semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic constituted a severe health crisis, emerging as one of the greatest public health challenges in recent years and resulting in several problems. This study aimed to analyze the impacts of this pandemic on the health of peasant agricultural workers in the semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte, in Apodi/RN, Brazil. This is a qualitative study, grounded in the Workers’ Health framework, carried out with ten peasant workers. Overall, the pandemic was found to have impacted work processes, such as: work stoppages in the field, the stagnation of commercialization, and the need to reorganize work by adopting biosecurity measures. In addition, new relationships among life/work/health emerged, given the impacts on work, daily life, health, income, and family relations. This changes exacerbated existing insecurities and shortages, which manifested as health problems and needs among the workers, such as: food and income insecurity, social isolation, the necessity to continue working, and the indispensability of a strong and responsive Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Finally, perceptions of peasants work as a potential health resource, seen as beneficial and therapeutic, stood out. However, in some cases, survival became difficult due to the multiple pandemic-related impacts, reaffirming the need for effective public policies.