Awareness of health and Environment in using of Agricultural Chemicals Among Farmers Who Growing Agricultural Crops and Vegetables in Nong Sua District, Pathumthani Province, Thailand

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge regarding to the
use of agricultural chemicals of the farmers who have been planting agricultural crops and
vegetables; the perceived information and sources of information about agricultural
chemicals; awareness in using of agricultural chemicals; and behavioral practices in using
of agricultural chemicals. The study samples comprised of 388 farmers who were selected
through inclusion criteria and were interviewed by structured interview questionnaire.
Percentage, mean, standard deviation and Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA) were
used to analyze the data.
Results of the study revealed that most of the sample farmers were male (78.4%) aged
between 41-50 years. (29.1%), married. (68.0%), completion of primary education or not
attending school. (68.3%). About 60 percent of the farmers had moderated level of knowledge
in using of agricultural chemicals. Most of the farmers perceived susceptibility of risk in
using agricultural chemicals at the low level (80.1%) and having moderate level of perceived
benefit in using the chemical as guided properly (61.3%). The behavioral practices regarding
agricultural chemicals using must be improved (46.9%). The results of the Multiple
Classification Analysis (MCA) at the statistical significance level of 0.05 showed that about
25 percent of variance of the behavioral practices regarding agricultural chemicals could be
statistically explained by knowledge about the use of agricultural chemical, perceived
susceptibility of risk in using agricultural chemicals, perceived benefit in using the chemical
as guided, and having tools and equipment to prevent dangers from chemical pesticides.