Effectiveness of Self-modifying Program on Pesticide Prevention Behavior among Agricultural Chemicals of Older Farmers in Nakhon Pathom Province
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Abstract
This quasi-experimental study with a two-group repeated-measures design aimed to examine the effectiveness of a behavioral modification program in enhancing self-protective behaviors against agricultural chemical exposure among older farmers. The program was developed based on the Health Belief Model. The sample consisted of 60 older farmers aged 60 years and above in Nakhon Pathom Province, selected through simple random sampling and purposive sampling, and assigned to an experimental group (n = 30) and a comparison group (n = 30). Data were collected using a self-protective behavior assessment questionnaire for agricultural chemical use, which demonstrated a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of .89. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and repeated-measures analysis of variance.
The results revealed that older farmers in the experimental group had significantly higher mean scores of self-protective behaviors after participating in the behavioral modification program and at the 8-week follow-up compared with their pre-intervention scores and those of the comparison group (p < .05).
These findings indicate that the behavioral modification program was effective in improving self-protective behaviors among older farmers exposed to agricultural chemicals. Therefore, the program should be implemented among older farmers in other areas to reduce chemical-related occupational health risks.
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