The Study of Knowledge, Attitudes and Pesticide Usage Behaviors among the Agricultural Workers at Huay Sam Kha Village, Tub Ruang Sub-district, Phra Thong Kum District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Background and objective: Inappropriate pesticide usage is the national health problem in Thai social. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitudes and pesticide usage behaviors among the agricultural workers at Huay Sam Kha Village, Tub Ruang Sub-district, Phra Thong Kum District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province.

Methods: This was a descriptive study of 142 agricultural workers living in Huay Sam Kha Village. Data were collected during September 2013 to October 2013 by using the researchers-adapted questionnaire and analyzed by using the descriptive statistics.

Results: The findings pointed out that 92.3% of participants were males and most of them (40.8%) aged between 30 and 44 years old. Approximately 41.5% of subjects used the chemical pesticide once a month. The majority (95.1%) had gained some pesticide usage informations mostly from the radio or television (68.3%). Over half (52.8%) experienced mild symptoms from exposure comprising headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In addition, the high levels of knowledge, attitudes and pesticide usage behaviors were presented in 88.7%, 85.2% and 86.6-97.9%, respectively.

Conclusions: The findings revealed that most agricultural workers have the correct knowledge and attitudes of pesticide usage. However, some inappropriate behaviors need to be corrected.