Risk behavior and factors affecting to health in rice farmers

Abstract

The objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine knowledge, risk
behavior, and the association of risk behavior with the health status of rice farmers. From 6
villages at Kamcha-e district, Mukdahan province, 233 rice farmers were asked to participate
in the study. Information was collected through questionnaire interviewed for a total of 12
months.
It was found that 84.1% of rice farmers had correct knowledge about health issues
as well as health risk behaviors. When asked about uses of personal protective equipments
for farming activities, 74.5% used hand hold seed rice and 54.5% used boots or shoes. For
planting rice they had repeatedly bent forward and used wrists and hands frequently
(46.4%) or all times (44.6%). They drank usually alcohol during work (every time or
sometimes (32.6%). Rice farmer’s health were hampered by low back pain while planting
rice, 6.35 times more frequently than for other activities (95%CI =2.09-19.29, p–value=
0.001), and low back pain caused by weed-pulling was 5.56 times more often than other
activities (95%CI =1.75-17.62, p–value = 0.003). Health status of rice farmers was also at risk
by inhaling diesel fume from ploughing trucks (89.7%), vibration (87.9%), and loud noise
(87.5%). About 48% had allergy from grain dust. Almost all had musculoskeletal disorders
from carrying heavy seed containers (90.1%) and inappropriate postures (95.7%). Almost
half had Injuries from cutting grass with hands (45.9%). ain of hands resulted from rice
harvesting (91.8%) and from sickle used during this process (51.3%). Musculoskeletal pain
also occurred while harvesting rice (87.1%), culturing rice (79.8%), weed-pulling (74.3%),
preparing land for cultivation (59.5%), seed scattering (55.8%), and collecting grains (43.4%).
Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries among rice farmers were related with risk
behaviors and other factors. Further research is required to design appropriate interventions
to solve or prevent the problems identified by this investigation.