Abstract:
A significant pesticide use in Thailand has increased concerns about potentially adverse effects on human health and environment. Particularly, a number of pesticide products have been heavily applied in chilli farms. This study aims (1) to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices on using personal protective equipment of chilligrowing farmers to protect themselves from pesticides, (2) to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with pesticide use and exposure in the chilli-growing farmers, and (3) to provide the recommendations and guidelines to reduce the farmers exposure to pesticides in Huarua Sub-District, Mueang District, Ubonrachathani Province, Thailand. A standardized questionnaire was completed by face to face interviewing from 330 chilli-growing farmers. The results showed that 53% of the participants were male and 39.6% and their ages were in the range of 31-40 years. Of 71.2% had educated in primary school. Most of them were applied pesticides by themselves. Almost 89.4% of them recognized that they have to wear mask, boots, and cloth while spraying. Of 83.3% knew that pesticide can pass through their body by 3 routes; ingestion, dermal, and inhalation. 45.5% of respondents knew that spraying should be done in the windward direction and they have to use PPE. Many of respondents commonly check equipment before using and wear clothing thoroughly while spraying. Nevertheless, 77.2% of chilli-growing farmers had low knowledge level, 54.5% of the farmers’ attitudes were not concerned about pesticide use and exposure and 85.0% of farmers had fair practices level. The statistically significant association between knowledge and attitude, knowledge and practice, and attitude and practice were low positive correlation (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient 0.216, 0.285, and 0.305 respectively, p-value < 0.001). The study suggested that the government authorities and community should have the appropriate recommendations, strategies and guidelines to prevent adverse health effects regarding to pesticide exposure of farmers in this area.
