Health Effect of Pesticide Use among Farmers in Ban Tei, Na Khra Saeng Sub-district, Det Udom District, Ubon Ratchathani Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aims to assess the health effect of pesticide use among farmers in Ban Tei, Na khra sang District, Ubon Ratchathani Province, totally 143 persons. The interview was used to collect data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study found that farmers used herbicide, pesticide and chemical for plant disease protection at 93.00%, 74.10% and 53.80% respectively. The most chemicals in Neonicotinoid groups the farmers used were Ethylenebisdithiocarbamates and Glyphosate with 76.42%, 64.94 % and 57.14 % respectively. Farmers used chemical within the recommendation on quantity labeled at 93.7 %. Farmers had abnormal symptoms of exposure to pesticides in the past 6 months at 48.95%.   Eye irritation was the most common problem with 54.29%, 41.43% was symptoms associated with the respiratory system including sore throat or dry throatand nasal irritation 40.00%. Farmers had a good level of pesticide protection behaviors  (95.10%). The best behavior was   not smoking during pesticide spraying or using, and not eatting or drinking while spraying (100.00%). 87.40% of farmers washed themselves immediately after spraying pesticides and 86.40% of them separated pesticides from other materials for storage.. However, it was found that farmers need to be educated as to how to mix more than two types of pesticidesin one single use. Health personnel of Na Kra saeng Sub-District and the relevant agencies should train farmers the right way for pesticide mixing and educate themabout the danger and health effects from the incorrect use of pesticides.