ACADEMIC IMPACT OF PROBLEMS AND OPINIONS MEASURES TO PREVENT SUGARCANE BURNING IN BAN PHET SUBDISTRIC, PHU KHIAO DISTRICT, CHAIYAPHUM PROVINCE

Abstract

This study is a cross-sectional descriptive research to study the impact of dust particles not exceeding 2.5 microns (PM-2.5.) from sugarcane burning and to study opinions on preventive measures. Dust not exceeding 2.5 microns ( ) from sugarcane burning in Ban Phet sub-district, Phu Khieo District, Chaiyaphum Province. The statistics used in the data analysis were frequency, percentage, mean, maximum, minimum, median, standard deviation, and logistic regression analysis. The significance level was set at 0.05.

The results of the study showed that the sample was affected by the problem of the dust not exceeding 2.5 microns from sugarcane burning. The average score was 32.35 points (out of 42 points) and the opinion on the preventive measures to solve the problem was at a high level. The average score was 43.36 points out of 48. The results of the analysis of the factors associated with the affected area at a statistically significant level (p-value<0.05) indicated that females were 2.28 times more likely to be affected than males (OR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.47–3.54). Persons over the age of 35 were 1.62 times more likely to be affected than those under the age of 35 (OR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.034 – 2.54), and people who are married were 1.67 times more likely to be affected than those who are single, widowed, divorced, or separated (OR=1.67; 95%CI: 1.08 – 2.59, p-value<0.05). In terms of correlation with opinion level, it was found that persons over the age of 35 were associated with an opinion level of 2.17 times than that of persons under the age of 35 (OR=2.28; 95%CI: 1.18-3.96). People who are married were associated with an opinion level of 2.97 times compared to those who are single, widowed, divorced, or separated (OR=2.97; 95%CI: 1.61 – 5.47). Moreover, secondary education was most associated with opinion level at 3.36 times (OR=3.36; 95%CI: 1.43 - 8.05), followed by bachelor's degree or higher at 1.43 times (OR=1.43; 95%CI: 0.72 - 2.86), compared to primary education or below. According to the study, it is obvious that the problem of dust ( ) from sugarcane burning has begun to affect the people, so it is necessary that all sectors cooperate to urgently solve the problem by seriously implementing preventive measures. In addition, supporting and encouraging farmers to choose other methods of harvesting their crops will be another driving force to prevent the problem in a sustainable manner.