Health and agrochemical use experiences of agricultural workers with high serum cholinesterase levels in Northeastern Thailand 10.55131/jphd/2022/200322
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
In developing countries, agrochemicals are frequently used, resulting in direct and indirect chemical exposure as well as a variety of health concerns. Although agrochemical safety education is essential to promoting protective behavior among agricultural workers, there is a gap in the body of evidence concerning experience with agrochemical use and practice, which is critical for developing and improving educational interventions, so they are more effective and acceptable to the workers' culture and lifestyle. This phenomenology study included twenty agricultural workers with high serum cholinesterase levels in two Thai rural communities. Data from semi-structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by using Colaizzi's 7-step data analysis, which is mentioned in the data analysis part. Five themes and three subthemes emerged in relation to agrochemical use and health: (i) long-term chemical exposure; (ii) no need to be concerned about health after chemical exposure; (iii) insufficient chemical protection knowledge and practices; (iv) difficulties in adhering to the agrochemical exposure prevention regimen; and (v) government policy and the growth of the organic products market are important components of chemical use reduction. Based on the findings, the workers lacked awareness regarding protective behaviors, because they did not notice any abnormal changes in their health. We, therefore, recommend that they undergo annual checkups for monitoring their SChE levels, which should be provided by the local government. In addition, agrochemical use is influenced by socioeconomic and political factors. Thus, a health education program for agricultural workers should involve a multidimensional and community-engaged training program that would promote the safe handling of chemicals through contextually appropriate interventions.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
References
Boedeker W, Watts M, Clausing P, Marquez E. The global distribution of acute unintentional pesticide poisoning: estimations based on a systematic review. BMC Public Health 2020;20(1):1-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09939-0
Laohaudomchok W, Nankongnab N, Siriruttanapruk S, Klaimala P, Lianchamroon W, Ousap P, et al. Pesticide use in Thailand: current situation, health risks, and gaps in research and policy. Hum Ecol Risk Assess 2020;27(5):1147-69. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2020.1808777
Ministry of Public Health. 2022 Health Data Center (HDC) system: occupational and environmental diseases – rates of pesticide poisoning by age [in Thai]. Office of the Permanent Secretary, Nonthaburi; 2022. [cited 12 Jun 2022]. Available from: https://hdcservice.moph.go.th/hdc/reports/report.php source=envocc/format2.php&cat_id=f16421e617aed29602f9f09d951cce68&id=261cb247ebbca35ea8e0069e3bf49ccc
Ministry of Public Health. 2022 Health Data Center (HDC) system: occupational and environmental diseases – rates of pesticide poisoning by province, [in Thai]. Office of the Permanent Secretary, Nonthaburi; 2022. [cited 12 Jun 2022]. Available from: https://hdcservice.moph.go.th/hdc/reports/report.php source=envocc/format2.php&cat_id=f16421e617aed29602f9f09d951cce68&id=261cb247ebbca35ea8e0069e3bf49ccc
Kongtip P, Nankongnab N, Mahaboonpeeti R, Bootsikeaw S, Batsungnoen K, Hanchenlaksh C, et al. Differences among Thai agricultural workers’ health, working conditions, and pesticide use by farm type. Ann Work Expo Health 2018;62(2):167-81. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/annweh/wxx099
Akter M, Fan L, Rahman MM, Geissen V, Ritsema CJ. Vegetable farmers’ behaviour and knowledge related to pesticide use and related health problems: a case study from Bangladesh. J Clean Prod 2018;200:122-33. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.07.130
Arbiol J, Orencio PM, Romena N, Nomura H, Takahashi Y, Yabe M. Knowledge, attitude and practices towards leptospirosis among lakeshore communities of Calamba and Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Agriculture 2016. doi: https://doi.org/ 10.3390/agriculture6020018
Bagheri A, Emami N, Damalas CA, Allahyari MS. Farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of pesticide use in apple farms of northern Iran: impact on safety behavior. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2019;26(9):9343-51. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-04330-y
Govindharaj GPP, Gowda B, Sendhil R, Adak T, Raghu S, Patil N, et al. Determinants of rice farmers’ intention to use pesticides in eastern India: application of an extended version of the planned behavior theory. Sustain Prod Consum 2021;26:814-23. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2020.12.036
Rostami F, Afshari M, Rostami-Moez M, Assari MJ, Soltanian AR. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pesticides use among agricultural workers. Indian J Occup Environ Med 2019;23(1):42-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoem.IJOEM_153_18
Santaweesuk S, Boonyakawee P, Siriwong W. Knowledge, attitude and practice of pesticide use and serum cholinesterase levels among rice farmers in Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand. J Health Res 2020;34(5):379-87. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/JHR-09-2019-0204
Sharifzadeh MS, Abdollahzadeh G. The impact of different education strategies on rice farmers’ knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about pesticide use. J Saudi Soc Agric Sci 2021:20(5): 312-23. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jssas.2021.03.003
Ndayambaje B, Amuguni H, Coffin-Schmitt J, Sibo N, Ntawubizi M, VanWormer E. Pesticide application practices and knowledge among small-scale local rice growers and communities in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2019;16(23):4770. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16234770
Istriningsih, Dewi YA, Yulianti A, Hanifah VW, Jamal E, Sarwani M, et al. Farmers' knowledge and practice regarding good agricultural practices (GAP) on safe pesticide usage in Indonesia. Heliyon 2022;8(1):e08708. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08708
Rattanaselanon P, Lormphongs S, Chanvaivit S, Morioka I, Sanprakhon P. An occupational health education program for Thai farmers exposed to chlorpyrifos. Asia Pac J Public Health 2018;30(7):666-72. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1010539518806042
Ramos AK. Precarious work, invisible people, unjust livelihoods: a social ecological model of migrant farm worker health in the Midwest [Dissertation] [Internet]. Clemson, SC (USA): Clemson University; 2017 [cited 2022 Jun 12]. Available from: https://www.proquest.com/openview/6d16fbc275ec92a3857207c5935ec635/1?pq-origsite=gscholar &cbl=18750
Panput A. Integrating academic services project report: 2020 academic year [in Thai]. Nakhon Phanom, Thailand: Boromarajonani College of Nursing Nakhon Phanom; 2020.
Polanco Y, Salazar J, Curbow B. A quantitative analysis of Colombian campesinos’ use of pesticides: perceived control and confidence in this use. Rev Fac Nac Salud Pública 2014;32(3):373–82.
Juntarawijit C, Vatthanasak A. Knowledge, attitude and safety work practice regarding pesticide use among farmers in Nakhon Sawan. Chiang Mai Med J [Internet]. 2021 Oct. 1 [cited 2022 Jun. 12];60(4):643-53. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/CMMJ-MedCMJ/article/view/ 253952
Muenhor C, Donprapeng B. Community participation in development of models for reducing pesticide contact of agriculturist group: case study of tobacco grower group of Nayor Village, Nangam Sub-District, RaenuNakhon District, Nakhon Phanom Province [in Thai]. Srinagarind Med J 2020;35(2):210-18.
Tawatsin A. Pesticides used in Thailand and toxic effects to human health. Med Res Arch [Internet]. 2015;3:1-10. Available from: https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/176/107
Nastasi BK, Schensul SL. Contributions of qualitative research to the validity of intervention research. J Sch Psychol 2005;43(3):177-95. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsp.2005.04.003
Morrow R, Rodriguez A, King N. Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method. Psychol [Internet]. 2015;28(8):643-4. Available from: http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/26984/
Nganchamung T, Robson MG, Siriwong W. Association between blood cholinesterase activity, organophosphate pesticide residues on hands, and health effects among chili farmers in Ubon Ratchathani Province, northeastern Thailand. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig [Internet]. 2017;68(2):175-80. Available from: https://agro.icm.edu.pl/agro/element/bwmeta1.element.agro-cafe6dc7-08f5-475f-923e-9a32c03ee249
Sombatsawat E, Norkaew S, Siriwong W. Blood cholinesterase level as biomarker of organophosphate and carbamate pesticide exposure effect among rice farmers in Tarnlalord sub-district, Phimai district, Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand. J Health Res. [Internet] 2014;28:S33-S40. Available from: https:// thaiscience.info/Journals/Article/JHRE/10972178.pdf
Forté CA, Colacino J, Polemi K, Guytingco A, Peraino NJ, Jindaphong S, et al. Pesticide exposure and adverse health effects associated with farmwork in Northern Thailand. J Occup Health 2021;63(1):e12222. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12222.
Pothu UK, Thammisetty AK, Nelakuditi LK. Evaluation of cholinesterase and lipid profile levels in chronic pesticide exposed persons. Fam Med Prim Care Rev 2019;8(6): 2073-78. doi: https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_239_19
Suwannahong K, Sridon A, Pitaksilp T, Pongstaporn W, Sudjaroen Y. Pesticide exposure of rice farmers and herbicide residue in paddy field, Suphan Buri, Thailand. Poll Res 2020;39(4):879-85. doi: http://www.envirobiotechjournals.com/PR/v39i420/Poll%20Res-8.pdf
Santaweesuk S, Boonyakawee P, Siriwong W. Knowledge, attitude and practice of pesticide use and serum cholinesterase levels among rice farmers in Nakhon Nayok Province, Thailand. J Health Res 2020;34(5):379-87. doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/JHR-09-2019-0204
Garrigou A, Laurent C, Berthet A, Colosio C, Jas N, Daubas-Letourneux V, et al. Critical review of the role of PPE in the prevention of risks related to agricultural pesticide use. Saf Sci 2020;123:104527. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2019.104527
Occupational Safety & Health, University of Washington. Guidelines for personal protective equipment (PPE). Seattle, WA: Occupational Safety & Health, University of Washington. 2022. Available from: https://www.ehs.washington.edu/system/files/resources/ppeguidelines.pdf
Berni I, Menouni A, El IG, Duca RC, Kestemont MP, Godderis L, et al. Understanding farmers’ safety behavior regarding pesticide use in Morocco. Sustain Prod Consum 2021; 25:471-483. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2020.11.019
Sarkar S, Gil JDB, Keeley J, Jansen K. The use of pesticides in developing countries and their impact on health and the right to food. European Union. 2021.
Weng CY, Black C. Taiwanese farm workers’ pesticide knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and clothing practices. Int J Environ Health Res 2015;25(6):685-96. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2015.1020415
Lekei EE, Ngowi AV, London L. Farmers' knowledge, practices and injuries associated with pesticide exposure in rural farming villages in Tanzania. BMC public health 2014; 14(1):1-13. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-389
Liem JF, Mansyur M, Soemarko DS, Kekalih A, Subekti I, Suyatna FD, et al. Cumulative exposure characteristics of vegetable farmers exposed to Chlorpyrifos in Central Java–Indonesia; a cross-sectional study. BMC public health 2021;21(1): 1-9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11161-5
Kearney GD, Xu X, Balanay JAG, Allen DL, Rafferty AP. Assessment of personal protective equipment use among farmers in eastern North Carolina: a cross-sectional study. J Agromedicine 2015;20(1):43-54. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/1059924X.2014.976730
Jallow MF, Awadh DG, Albaho MS, Devi VY, Thomas BM. Pesticide knowledge and safety practices among farm workers in Kuwait: results of a survey. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017;14(4):340. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040340
Muleme J, Kankya C, Ssempebwa JC, Mazeri S, Muwonge A. A framework for integrating qualitative and quantitative data in knowledge, attitude, and practice studies: a case study of pesticide usage in eastern Uganda. Front Public Health 2017; 5:318. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00318
Taghdisi MH, Besheli BA, Dehdari T, Khalili F. Knowledge and practices of safe use of pesticides among a group of farmers in northern Iran. Int. J Occup Environ Med 2019;10(2):66-72. doi: https://doi.org/10.15171/ijoem.2019.1479
Yuantari MG, Van Gestel CA, Van Straalen NM, Widianarko B, Sunoko HR, Shobib MN. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of Indonesian farmers regarding the use of personal protective equipment against pesticide exposure. Environ Monit Assess 2015;187(3):1-7. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-015-4371-3
Andrade-Rivas F, Rother HA. Chemical exposure reduction: Factors impacting on South African herbicide sprayers' personal protective equipment compliance and high risk work practices. Environ Res 2015;142:34-45. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2015.05.028
Raksanam B, Taneepanichskul S, Siriwong W, Robson M. Multi-approach model for improving agrochemical safety among rice farmers in Pathumthani, Thailand. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2012;5:75–82. doi: https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S30749
Helitzer DL, Hathorn G, Benally J, Ortega C. Culturally relevant model program to prevent and reduce agricultural injuries. J Agric Saf Health 2014;20(3): 175-98. doi: https://doi.org/10.13031/jash.20.10333
Sawarng N, Hongsibsong S, Sapbamrer R, Wongta A, Tongjai P. Effectiveness of a participatory program on pesticide use behavior and blood cholinesterase levels in Chiang Mai province, Northern Thailand. J Environ Public Health 2021. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6746367
Coman MA, Marcu A, Chereches RM, Leppälä J, Van den Broucke S. Educational interventions to improve safety and health literacy among agricultural workers: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17:1114. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17031114.
Russell-Green S, Cotton J, Brumby S. Research engagement changes attitudes and behaviours towards agrichemical safety in Australian farmers. Safety 2020;6(1):16. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/safety6010016
Wang J, Deng Y, Ma Y. Relationships between safe pesticide practice and perceived benefits and subjective norm, and the moderation role of information acquisition: evidence from 971 farmers in China. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2017;14(9):962. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14090962
Mie A, Andersen HR, Gunnarsson S, Kahl J, Kesse-Guyot E, Rembiałkowska E, et al. Human health implications of organic food and organic agriculture: a comprehensive review. Environ Health 2017;16(1):1-22. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12940-017-0315-4
Das S, Chatterjee A, Pal TK. Organic farming in India: a vision towards a healthy nation. Food Qual Saf 2020;4(2):69-76. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/fqsafe/fyaa018