Realities experienced in rural areas of Southern Brazil: A study on the work of persons with disabilities and the assistance of primary health care professionals

This study analyzes the realities experienced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) at work in rural areas, as well as the challenges faced by the Primary Health Care Professionals (PHC) that provide services to this population. Qualitative research was conducted in five rural municipalities in southern Brazil where family farming and tobacco farming activities are predominate. The data were evaluated using Content Analysis. The results show that rural work is recognized as a health hazard; child labor and work accidents have been experienced by several generations of family members; many PWDs mitigate mental suffering and musculoskeletal pain with the use of medications. Little prevention and few health promotion services are performed by PHC and mutual aid is a characteristic of rural communities. This study indicates the importance of the visibility of the rural environment as a space for work and for the organization of individual and collective life among PWDs.