Factors Associated with the Farmers’ Blood Cholinesterase Level

Abstract

          Agriculture is the major occupation of Thai people and pesticide usage in Thailand are more than in developed countries. The objectives of this survey were to assess factors associated to the farmers’ blood cholinesterase level, including risk factors and behaviors of the farmers. Data were collected from the results of risk assessment on the work of farmers in Luangphopern Hospital contracting unit of primary care area in fiscal year 2558. Four hundred and nineteen farmers had been screened by the risk assessment questionnaire and examined blood cholinesterase level by the reactive paper. Data were presented by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and comparisons between the groups by Pearson chi-square test with statistical significant level at 0.05. The results showed that of almost two-thirds the farmers had abnormal blood cholinesterase level. The factors that statistically and significantly associated with the farmers’ blood cholinesterase level were gender, role related to the use of pesticides, risk behaviors level of pesticides using, level of pesticides protection practice and health risk level in the work of farmers. So, relevant government organizations in the health and agricultural sectors or Local Administrative Organization should promote knowledge, awareness of prevention and reduction of risk behaviors of pesticide using for farmers.