Relación de manifestaciones depresivas por la exposición a hidrocarburos en los despachadores de combustible de una gasolinera en Esmeraldas

Abstract

Abstract: Depressive manifestations due to exposure to hydrocarbons lead to a series of emotional and physiological alterations that the worker experiences as a result of fuel dispatch. Objectives determining the level of exposure to fuel liquids and vapors to which the dispatchers of a gas station in Esmeraldas are subjected, as well as estimating the percentage of dispatchers who present depressive symptoms and its relationship with the exposure to hydrocarbons. For its development, it is expected to use a methodological design that will allow the study to be approached with a quantitative-qualitative approach, using the types of correlational and descriptive exploratory research. The methods to be applied would be the inductive - deductive one that will allow the analysis of the constitutive elements of the investigation. A validated instrument such as the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2 and y PHQ9) will be applied. Among the expected results, the existence of coincident points is established, as is the case of the study carried out by Castellar [20], which when related to the proposed research determines that the exposure of fuel dispatchers who work for similar long periods of time to the operation of the gas stations, they experience behavioral affectations and the appearance of depressive symptoms. On the other hand, the study aims to establish comparative results obtained by taking samples related to the application of PHQ2 and PHQ9 that allow diagnosing the levels of depression in dispatchers due to direct contact with IL-6 and exposure to toluene. Within the framework of the implications of the study, it is highlighted promoting safe and healthy work environments in the country, as well as compliance with regulations in which activity and safety in gas stations are carried out, providing detailed clinical information on the effects on mental health for fuel dispatch. Among the limitations of the study, the lack of financing and economic support for its realization is pointed out, in the same way it can be added that among the strengths the collaboration of the gas station administrator and the predisposition of the fuel dispatcher personnel for the application of clinical and paraclinical samples.