[Study of Brazilian agricultural workers. A medico-socio-psychological study]

The general state of health of native Brazilian agricultural workers - a total of 750 people from 3 different plantations in the States of Paraná and Saso Paulo - was examined. The main interest of this study war centred on infectious and parasitic diseases, nutritional conditions as well as social, intellectual factors.

Apart from the high number of cases of helminthiasis, amounting to 80%, the general state of health of the examined subjects was found to be good - indeed better than that of a hypothetical, comparable group of Europeans. Except for the Chagas' disease, by which 5% of the test subjects were afflicted, infectious diseases posed no serious problems. There was no case of malnutrition. The relatively lower intellectual level can not be attributed to any heriditary factor, and could definitely be improved by proper schooling. Corrective measures: Chagas: Since brick houses have replaced the wooden ones for several years, new infections are unlikely. Helminthiasis: In addition to the anthelminthic treatment, sanitary prophylactic measures should be taken. Social-intellectual factors: The following points should be emphasized: elementary schooling on the plantations; teaching at intermediary level; sewing and cooking courses; general hygience.