Analysing the Health Behavior in Use of Chemical Pesticides (case: farmers of Khorramabad County)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD student in Agricultural Development, Faculty of Economics and Agricultural Development, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

2 Master of Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Lorestan, Iran

3 PhD Student, Department of Rural Extension and Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu Ali Sina University, Hamadan, Iran

4 Assistant Prof., Department of Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Lorestan, Iran

Abstract

Increasing population growth and the urgent need to increase agricultural production are closely related to the increasing use of chemical pesticides, including pesticides. Exposure to toxins has harmful effects on human health and the environment, as well as many adverse health effects. Therefore, serious measures are needed to prevent these negative effects and harms to the farmers who are exposed to it on a daily basis. Whereas the health behavior of farmers in the use of chemical pesticides is a necessity; The purpose of this study was to analyze the health behavior of farmers in Khorramabad city in the use of pesticides. The statistical population of this study included farmers in Khorramabad city, which was estimated using a sample of 150 people using Krejcie and Morgan table. The data collection tool was a questionnaire that the content validity of the research tool was confirmed by experts and its reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha. The results showed that knowledge variables with 0.43, attitude with 0.60 and disease with 0.29 could directly affect the health behavior of farmers. Using mass media, virtual social networks, holding face-to-face meetings consisting of agricultural and health experts, leading and trusted farmers, using pesticide and pesticide sales centers as educational opportunities, and increasing farmers' access to some tools The need to institutionalize the healthy and safe behavior of farmers in the field of principles and methods of pesticide and pesticide management is suggested.

Keywords

References

  1. Abang, A. F., Kouamé, C. M., Abang, M., Hanna, R., & Fotso, A. K. (2014). Assessing vegetable farmer knowledge of diseases and insect pests of vegetable and management practices under tropical conditions. International Journal of Vegetable Science, 20(3), 240-253.
  2. Abdollahzade, G., Sharifzadeh, M., & Ghadami Amri, Z. (2016). Assessing the awareness of rice farmers in Sari about the consequences of using chemical pesticides and its health risks in the crop year. Iranian Journal of Health & Environment, 9(4), 545-558. (In Farsi).
  3. Al-Zain, B. F., & Mosalami, J. (2014). Pesticides usage, perceptions, practices and health effects among farmers in North Gaza, Palestine. Indian Journal of Applied Research, 4(6), 17-22.
  4. Bondori, A. M., Bagheri, A., & Sookhtanlou, M. (2019). Analysis of Moghan Plain Farmers’ Health-safety Behavior towards Using Chemical Pesticides. Iran Agricultural Extension and Education Journal, 14 (2), 161-183. (In Farsi).
  5. Chen, R., Huang, J., & Qiao, F. (2013). Farmers' knowledge on pest management and pesticide use in Bt cotton production in china. China Economic Review, 27, 15-24.
  6. Costa, C., Silva, S., Coelho, P., Roma-Torres, J., Teixeira, J. P., & Mayan, O. (2007). Micronucleus analysis in a Portuguese population exposed to pesticides: preliminary survey. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 210(3-4), 415-418.
  7. Darab, H., Soleymanpour, R. & Zolfi E. (2010). The training set of toxins and methods of fight against insects and rodents. Urmia University of Medical Sciences (training pamphlet), deputy of Health affair, Department of public and Occupational Health. (In Farsi). At: http://www.sbmu.ac.ir/uploads/Zedeofoni_konande.pdf
  8. Erbaugh, J. M., Donnermeyer, J., & Kyamanywa, S. (2002). Factors associated with the use of pesticides in Uganda: Strategic Options for targeting integrated pest management (IPM) programs. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 9(2), 23-28.
  9. Eyvazi, A., & Pournajaf, A. (2004). Epidemiology of field poisoning with Pesticides in farmers in Elam province. Journal of Elam university of Medical Science, 44(83), 40-45.
  10. Fan, L., Niu, H., Yang, X., Qin, W., Bento, C. P., Ritsema, C. J., & Geissen, V. (2015). Factors affecting farmers' behaviour in pesticide use: Insights from a field study in northern China. Science of the Total Environment, 537, 360-368.
  11. Fianko, J. R., Donkor, A., Lowor, S. T., & Yeboah, P. O. (2011). Agrochemicals and the Ghanaian environment, a review. Journal of Environmental Protection, 2(03), 221.
  12. Garcia, A. M. (2003). Pesticide exposure and women's health. American journal of industrial medicine, 44(6), 584-94.
  13. Ghafari, M., & Zarabi, M., Sh. S. (2007). The pesticides and their used facilities. Ministry of Health and Medical Education, the Center for Environmental Health and Work. (In Farsi).
  14. Ghalavandi, S. (2015). Investigating of knowledge, attitude and safety behavior of farmers in Andimeshk city in the use of chemical pesticides. Master Thesis, Agricultural Extension and Education, Shushtar Branch of Azad University. (In Farsi).
  15. Ghasemi, S., & Karami, E. (2009). Attitudes and behaviors about pesticides use among greenhouse workers in Fars province. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development, 23(1), 28-40.
  16. Hashemi, S. M., Rostami, R., Hashemi, M. K., & Damalas, C. A. (2012). Pesticide use and risk perceptions among farmers in southwest Iran. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 18(2), 456-470.
  17. Hooshmandan Moghaddam Fard, Z., & Shams, A. (2016). Factors affecting pesticide consumption behavior of greenhouse owners in Zanjan province. Iranian Agricultural Extension and Education Journal, 12(1), 119-131. (In Farsi).
  18. Hosseini, M., Kharzani, Z., Ghaneian, M., Dehvari, M., Momayezi, M. (2018). Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Women in Relation to Health Hazards, Proper Method of Maintenance and Use of Pesticides at Home in Yazd. Journal of Health, 9(4), 442-452. (In Farsi).
  19. Houbraken, M., Bauweraerts, I., Fevery, D., Van Labeke, M. C., & Spanoghe, P. (2016). Pesticide knowledge and practice among horticultural workers in the Lâm Đồng region, Vietnam: A case study of chrysanthemum and strawberries. Science of the Total Environment, 550, 1001-1009.
  20. Ibitayo, O. O. (2006). Egyptian farmers' attitudes and behaviors regarding agricultural pesticides: implications for pesticide risk communication. Risk Analysis, 26(4), 989-995.
  21. Idowu, A. A., Sowe, A., Bah, A. K., Kuyateh, M., Anthony, A., & Oyelakin, O. (2017). Knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with pesticide use among horticultural farmers of Banjulinding and Lamin of the Gambia. African Journal of Chemical Education, 7(2), 2-17.
  22. Isin, S., & Yildirim, I. (2007). Fruit-growers’ perceptions on the harmful effects of pesticides and their reflection on practices: The case of Kemalpasa, Turkey. Crop Protection, 26(7), 917-922.
  23. Jallow, M. F., Awadh, D. G., Albaho, M. S., Devi, V. Y., & Thomas, B. M. (2017). Pesticide knowledge and safety practices among farm workers in Kuwait: Results of a survey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(4), 340.
  24. Jefferson, R. D., Goans, R. E., Blain, P. G., & Thomas, S. H. (2009). Diagnosis and treatment of polonium poisoning. Clinical Toxicology, 47(5), 379-392.
  25. Karunamoorthi, K., Mohammed, M., & Wassie, F. (2012). Knowledge and practices of farmers with reference to pesticide management: implications on human health. Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health, 67(2), 109-116.
  26. Koh, D., & Jeyaratnam, J. (1996). Pesticides hazards in developing countries. Science of the Total Environment, 188, 78-85.
  27. Kumari, P.L. (2013). Knowledge and Practices of Safety Use of Pesticides among Farm Workers. Ithaca and London: Cornel University Press.
  28. Lichtenberg, E., & Zimmerman, R. (1999). Information and farmers’ attitudes about pesticides, water quality, and related environmental effects. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 73(3), 227-236.
  29. McCauley, L. A., Anger, W. K., Keifer, M., Langley, R., Robson, M. G., & Rohlman, D. (2006). Studying health outcomes in farmworker populations exposed to pesticides. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(6), 953-960.
  30. Mohanty, M. K., Behera, B. K., Jena, S. K., Srikanth, S., Mogane, C., Samal, S., & Behera, A. A. (2013). Knowledge attitude and practice of pesticide use among agricultural workers in Puducherry, South India. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 20(8), 1028-1031.
  31. Nabati P. (2010). Head of Chemical Industries, Non metallic industry office and representative of the ministry of Industries and Mines in the coordination center for science and technology of pesticides. Status report of pest's industry in the country.
  32. Recena, M. C. P., Caldas, E. D., Pires, D. X., & Pontes, E. R. J. (2006). Pesticides exposure in Culturama, Brazil—knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Environmental Research, 102(2), 230-236.
  33. Sa’ed, H. Z., Sawalha, A. F., Sweileh, W. M., Awang, R., Al-Khalil, S. I., Al-Jabi, S. W., & Bsharat, N. M. (2010). Knowledge and practices of pesticide use among farm workers in the West Bank, Palestine: safety implications. Environmental health and Preventive Medicine, 15(4), 252-261.
  34. Sankoh, A. I., Whittle, R., Semple, K. T., Jones, K. C., & Sweetman, A. J. (2016). An assessment of the impacts of pesticide use on the environment and health of rice farmers in Sierra Leone. Environment International, 94, 458-466.
  35. Taghadosinejad, F. (2008). Clinical Toxilogy and Poisoning (diagnosis and treatment). 2 ed. Tehran: Abnus publisher. 348-349.
  36. Tofolo, C., Fuentefria, A. M., Farias, F. M., Machado, M. M., & Oliveira, L. F. S. (2014). Contributing factors for farm workers’ exposure to pesticides in the west of the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Acta Scientiarum. Health Sciences, 36(2), 153-159.
  37. Yazdi, Z., Sarreshtedari, M., & Zohal, M. A. (2010). Respiratory disease in workers exposed to organophosphate materials. Journal of School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Science, 4, 206-213.

Yuantari, M. G., Van Gestel, C. A., Van Straalen, N. M., Widianarko, B., Sunoko, H. R., & Shobib, M. N. (2015). Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Indonesian farmers regarding the use of personal protective equipment against pesticide exposure. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 187(3), 1-7

Iranian Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development Research
Volume 52, Issue 4
November 2021
Pages 679-693

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics