Prevalence and related factors of pesticide exposure among agriculturist in LADPATTANA sub district Mueang Mahasarakham district Mahasarakham

Abstract

Objective : To study the prevalence and related factor of farmers at risk of pesticide poisoning.

Methods : This cross-sectional study was conducted with 305 farmers by purposive random sampling, between April 1, 2018 and May 1, 2018. Assess the risk of pesticide exposure with a ready-made cholinesterase enzyme test paper. The statistic used for data analysis included descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.

Result : Most of the samples were men, 72.5 percent. The average age are 52.9±9.1 years of age and 96.1% of the crops were self-cultivated. The self-defense behavior from pesticide exposure was moderate( 88.9%)and the prevalence of farmers at risk of pesticide poisoning in normal level,  safe level, risk level sand unsafe level, accounting for 13.1 percent, 43.0, 28.2 and 15.7 respectively. The related factors were work as employee OR=4.03(95%CI=1.07-15.19) and spraying of pesticides OR=0.58(95%CI=0.36-0.93)

Conclusion : The promotion of reduction of use and knowledge of pesticide prevention should be emphasized in those who are contracted to grow and do not spray the chemicals themselves.