Risk behaviors on pesticide use among farmers in Yod Kang Subdistrict, Namon District, Kalasin Province.

Abstract

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted, the aims of the study were to assess risk behaviors and analyze factors related to risk of using pesticide among farmers in Yod Kaeng Sub-district, Namon District, Kalasin Province. About 315 participants were collected the data by using the interviews. Descriptive statistics including frequency distribution, percentage, mean and standard deviation were applied to analyze the data. Chi-Square statistic was used for testing the hypothesis. The results revealed that 46.35% of farmers had low level of knowledge about risk behaviors of pesticide use. Approximately 38.73% of farmers had moderate level of health belief model of using pesticides, followed by 38.41% havinghigh level of health belief model of using pesticides. About 49.84% of farmers had moderate level of risk behaviors of pesticide use, followed by 43.18% having high level of risk behaviors of pesticide use. Four factors were significantly related to risk behaviors of using pesticide including; 1) type of agricultural plants 2) type of plants which frequently used pesticides 3) experience of pesticide use and 4) knowledge about pesticides use. These factors were associated with risk behaviors in the use of pesticides, with statistically significant (p<0.05). The associated organizations such as the subdistrict administrative organization and Namon District Agricultural Extension Office should continually provide proper training regarding the sufficient technical information on the correct application of pesticides. The training program should be associated with the risk behaviors, for example do not eat foods while spraying pesticides, delay harvesting after applying pesticides, and avoiding self-medication to detox toxic substances. This training might be increased the knowledge level of farmers, understanding, and leading skill to prevention of hazardous pesticide use.