Utilization of Participation Process to Prevent Health Impact from Pesticide Use in Shallot Farming, Chaijumphon Sub-district, Laplae District, Uttaradit Province

Abstract

This action research aimed to study the effectiveness of participation process to prevent health impact prevention from pesticide use in shallot farming in Chaijumphon Sub-district, Laplae District, Uttaradit Province. The AIC (appreciation-influence-control) technique was utilized to identify problems and develop solution guidelines. The study samples were 30 shallot farmer volunteers and 29 representatives of community leaders and government sector. Data were collected through structured interviews during June – October 2015; and were analyzed by descriptive statistics, percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics (paired t-test). It was found that the majority of farmers had physical symptoms resulting from pesticide use, which included eye-irritation, itching, headache, dizziness, and fatigue. At the end of the participation process, the shallot farmers had significantly increased their knowledge, attitude and protective behaviors. Through the AIC process, appropriate prevention measures were identified which were well adapted to the community context and lifestyle. Such measures included establishing self-help group to raise awareness on the undesirable effects of pesticides, educating on pesticides through village broadcasting network, promoting the use of protective equipment, screening of cholinesterase enzyme in blood, and promoting bio-fertilizer in the community. It was recommended that the process should be widely applied in other communities with similar circumstances.