FACTORS RELATED TO ILLNESS FROM THE CHEMICAL PESTICIDES ON FARMERS AT WIANG KAO DISTRICT, KHON KAEN PROVINCE

Abstract

This study is cross-sectional descriptive research. The purpose was to study the use of agricultural chemicals, morbidity, and factors related to illness from the chemical pesticides on farmers at Wiang Kao District, Khon Kaen. Subjects were 350 farmers' households in Wiang Kao district. Multi-stage random sampling. Collect information from interviews. By using the application volunteer online between January to August 2020.

The results of the study of the sample were 77.43% related to the use of agricultural chemicals, 81.92% of occupations were farmers, owning agricultural land 16.97%, workers harvesting agricultural products 11.81%, workers spraying agricultural chemicals 4.43%, currently still involved in the use of agricultural chemicals 69.71% and there were 9.96% of the samples who stopped using agricultural chemicals and adapted to do agriculture in a chemical-free form. By using natural methods such as land improvement, mixed farming, bio-fermented water, BT bacteria and animal manure, etc. 12.57% (44 households) of the sample had an illness from agricultural chemical poisoning. The symptoms of numbness of the hands and feet 81.39%, followed by trembling hands, ataxia or Parkinson's disease 25.58%, followed 16.27% of dermatitis, and 6.98% of nephrotic syndrome. The analysis of multiple logistic regression was found that workers harvesting agricultural products (ORadj = 2.46, 95% CI=1.04-5.88) were associated with illnesses that were significant statistically (p-value <0.05). Explain that those who workers harvesting agricultural products 2.46 times more likely to get sick than other groups of farmers. However, workers harvesting agricultural products should have their own protection. Also, farmers should use agricultural chemicals properly and recommend chemical-free farming.