Factors influencing pesticide use-related symptoms among rice farmers in Sukhothai Province

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional analytical research was to ascertain relationships between socio-demographic factors, pesticide use history, and selfprotective behaviors and pesticide-related symptoms among 420 rice farmers in Kongkrailat District, Sukhothai Province, Thailand. The data were collected using standardized, pre-tested questionnaires in March 2006. Subjects were selected by multi-stage random sampling. Chi-square statistics were calculated to assess relationships between independent and dependent variables. Study results showed that income and marital status were more strongly associated with symptoms than were age and education level. Unexpectedly, subjects who had never been trained in safe pesticide use generally reported lower symptom rates than subjects who had been trained. Frequency of pesticide use and concentration had strong association with symptoms and stronger association than duration of using pesticides as rice farmer, duration of each pesticide application, number of pesticides mixed, main duty in handling, and method of pesticide use. Findings suggested presence of a sensitive subgroup, who developed symptoms quickly after starting to apply pesticides. Selfprotective behaviors during application were less strongly associated with symptom rates than were such behaviors before and after application. We recommend that the authorities in occupational health and health promotion should be concerned about pesticide use and self-protection behaviors and promote methods such as integrated pesticide management for rice farmers.