Factors Related to Self-Protective Behavior from Pesticide Use among Rice Farmers in The Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

This cross-sectional analytical study aimed to investigate self-protective behaviors against pesticide use among farmers and to investigate factors associated with self-protective behaviors against pesticide use among rice farmers in Kantharawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province. The study sample consisted of 316 rice farmers who lived near natural water sources and used agricultural chemicals. The research instrument was a questionnaire, which was validated for content validity and reliability. The item-objective congruence index ranged from 0.67 to 1.00, and the overall reliability coefficient was 0.90. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, and inferential statistics, including Multiple logistic regression.

The results showed that most farmers exhibited a good level of self-protective behavior against pesticide use (66.46%). Factors significantly associated with self-protective behavior included: family income greater than 15,000 Baht per year (adjusted OR = 2.99, 95% CI = 1.71-5.24, p < 0.001); high perceived susceptibility to the risks of pesticide use (adjusted OR = 5.72, 95% CI = 1.83-17.85, p-value = 0.003); high perceived benefits of self-protection from pesticide use (adjusted OR = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.65-6.21, p-value = 0.001); and high perceived cues to action (adjusted OR = 3.81, 95% CI = 1.78-8.16, p-value = 0.001).

Promoting awareness, emphasizing the benefits of self-protective behaviors, and providing continuous motivation through health communication by public health personnel are essential strategies to sustainably enhance safe pesticide use among farmers.