Factors influencing the level of health risks from pesticide exposure among vegetable farmers

Main Article Content

Laksanee Boonkhao
Warisin Baukeaw
Thitima Saenrueang
Pongsak Rattanachaikunsopon

Abstract

Thai farmers have been known to extensively use cholinesterase inhibitors, such as organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. This cross-sectional descriptive study examined the factors influencing the level of health risks from pesticide exposure among vegetable farmers. The data were gathered from 195 farmers using the Farmers Work Risk Assessment from the Pesticide Exposure form. The study found that over half of the farmers were in the lowest health risk category (65.64%). Some of the risk factors identified were low education level (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.19–0.93, p-value = 0.033), consumption of vegetables possibly containing pesticide residue (OR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.43–5.79, p-value = 0.003), 8–14 days monthly average use of pesticide (OR = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.07–0.69, p-value = 0.010), and the application of pesticides in agriculture for insect control (OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.10–0.87, p-value = 0.027). Therefore, to reduce the health risks associated with pesticide exposure, farmers must be educated and trained to safely use pesticides to continue promoting naturally occurring and ecologically friendly pesticides.

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Article Details

How to Cite
Boonkhao, L., Baukeaw, W., Saenrueang, T., & Rattanachaikunsopon, P. (2023). Factors influencing the level of health risks from pesticide exposure among vegetable farmers. Science, Engineering and Health Studies, 17, 23050006. https://doi.org/10.69598/sehs.17.23050006
Section
Health sciences

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