Knowledge, attitude, and practice of pesticide use among agriculturists in Talat Sai Sub-district, Prathai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

This study aims to assess the relationship between factors and pesticide use practice of 297 agriculturists in Talat Sai Sub-district, Prathai District, Nakhon Ratchasima Province. The sample was selected proportionally from the population of 13 villages and a representative of agriculturists from household was selected by a simple random sampling according to the inclusion criteria. The results revealed that 38.38% engaged in agricultural occupations for 10-19 years. More than half (56.23%) had 6.0-11.4 hectares of farmland and most of them (98.32%) cultivated rice. The most frequently used pesticides were herbicides for rice fields, 74.41% of which was sprayed in every 3 months. Of the samples, 72.39% received information regarding pesticides use from their neighbors (51.18%), followed by the internet (46.13%) and public health officials (23.57%). About 79.80% were tested for risk exposure to pesticides. Of the samples, 86.53% exhibited a high level of knowledge about pesticides, 69.36% had a high attitude towards pesticide use, and 87.54% had a good pesticide use practice. The results revealed that the practice of pesticide use is statistically significantly correlated with the number of sprays of pesticides, the health screening experience for risk exposure to pesticides by the cholinesterase reactive paper, and attitude toward pesticide use (χ2=32.92, p-value<0.001 and χ2=7.51, p-value=0.023 and rs=0.376, p-value<0.001, respectively). Therefore, related agencies should supply appropriate amount of test kit for risk groups and urge them to realize the benefit of pesticide exposure risk screening, as well as to develop positive attitudes toward the safe use of pesticides, especially those who spray pesticides more often than 3 months each time.