The relationship between pesticide usage behaviors and cholinesterase enzyme level of agricultural workers: Case study of Phra Achan Subdistrict, Ongkharak District, Nakhon Nayok Province

Abstract

Agricultural workers use pesticides to increase productivity and revenue, but this inappropriate chemical usage behavior has a risk of affecting health. Agricultural workers in Phra Achan Subdistrict, Ongkharak District, Nakhon Nayok Province, use pesticides in their rice farming to produce a large amount of rice. Agricultural workers in this area risk exposure to pesticides from mixing chemicals, spraying chemicals, and residing in areas that have been sprayed. This descriptive research aimed to study the relationship between pesticide usage behavior and level of cholinesterase enzyme in the blood. The sample group of 145 agricultural workers. The research tools consisted of a questionnaire about pesticide usage behaviors and a blood pesticide residue test kit that relied on cholinesterase reactive paper. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s correlation coefficient. This study found that the sample group revealed moderate levels of pesticide use behavior, with a mean score of 3.00 ± 0.25 scores out of a full score of 4 scores. Agricultural workers had pesticide residues in their blood at a risk level of 44.14 percent, an unsafe level of 36.55 percent, a safe level of 18.62 percent, and a normal level of 0.69 percent, respectively. Furthermore, it was discovered that agricultural workers' blood cholinesterase enzyme levels were related to their post-pesticide usage behaviors, with statistical significance at the .05 level (r = 0.169). According to this research, agricultural workers exhibit improper behaviors following pesticide use. Agricultural workers stored pesticides near their residences and disposed of their packaging with general waste. In addition, agricultural workers never put up signs to warn other in the area where pesticides are used. Therefore, health organizations should be encouraged to participate in enhancing agricultural workers' knowledge to change their behavior and use pesticides in a safe manner.