Effects of An Organophosphate/Carbamate Exposure Prevention Program on Pesticide Protective Behaviors, Serum Cholinesterase and SDPTG Aging Index Among Thai Rice

Abstract

A quasi-experimental study was designed to determine the effects of a pesticides exposure prevention program on pesticide protective behaviors, serum cholinesterase level and the second derivative finger photoplethysmogram (SDPTG) aging index. The subjects were 53 rice farmers in Amphoe KhlongKhung KamphaengPhet province, 27 in the intervention group and 26 in the comparison group.The experimental group has received a pesticide exposure prevention program based on Pender’s health promotion concept.The changes of pesticide protective behaviors assessed by questionnaire with 0.74 of Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, serum cholinesterase level (ChE) measured by reactive paper and cardiovascular risk evaluated by SDPTG aging index between pre-intervention and post-intervention were examined. In the experimental group, means of pesticide preventive behavior score and of ChE level after the intervention were significantly higher whereas the SDPTG-aging index was significantly lower than before intervention. Compared to the comparison group, score of the pesticide preventive behaviors was significantly higher and index of cardiovascular risk was significantly lower among the experimental group. In conclusion, the results showed that this pesticide prevention program can prevent pesticide exposure which may result in reducing cardiovascular risk among Thai rice farmers.