Effect of the Integrated Safety Program on Pesticide Use Behaviors Among Longan Farmers
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Safety behaviors are considered the most important determinants of health consequences among longan farmers.
OBJECTIVES: This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of an integrated safety program on pesticide use behaviors among longan farmers.
METHODS: Thirty-five longan farmers from two districts in Chiang Mai province in Northern Thailand were purposively selected and equally assigned into an experimental or a comparison group based on inclusion criteria and matching methods (35 cases). The experimental group received the integrated safety program while the comparison group received usual care from health professionals in the community. The integrated safety program was comprised of raising awareness, modifying behavior, and creating a supportive environment for safe pesticide behavior. Data was collected by using the questionnaire at the baseline and at 8 and 12 weeks after the intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).
RESULTS: The results revealed that participants in the experimental group had statistically significant higher mean scores of pesticide use behaviors including pesticide use, personal protective equipment use, and compliance with safety guidance was significantly higher than before the experiment in weeks 8 and 12 (p<0.001). In addition, participants in the experimental group had statistically significant higher mean scores of pesticide use behaviors, including pesticide use, personal protective equipment use, and compliance with safety guidance, than those in the comparison group (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: The results from this study indicate that an integrated safety program focused on raising awareness and creating a supportive environment for health were effective in modifying pesticide use behaviors among longan farmers. Therefore, occupational health care professionals can apply this program to promote safe pesticide use behavior among this population.
Thaiclinicaltrials.org number, TCTR20240630002
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