Comparison of Health Status Knowledge and Attitudes among Pesticide used and Non-pesticide Rice Farmers

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate health status, knowledge, and attitude among rice farmers in West Pakpanang Sub-district, Pankpanang District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. The participants were composed of 3 groups: 37 pesticide used rice farmers, 31 non-pesticide rice farmers, and 34 non-rice farmers. The study tool was a set of questionnaire on demographic data, health status, knowledge and attitude on pesticide. The results showed that the presence of underlying health condition among pesticide rice farmers, non-pesticide rice farmers, and non-rice farmers was 54.05%, 15.61%, and 76.47%, respectively. Hypertention was the major problem among the study groups account for 50.00%, 68.75%, and 46.15% of the 3 groups, respectively. Pesticide used rice farmers reported no toxicity symtoms after pesticide application (75.68%). Pesticide and non-pesticide rice farmers had the similar level of knowl­edge at moderate (48.65%) and high levels (45.61%). However, the knowledge of non-rice farmer was mostly at moderate level (85.29%). Attitude of pesticide used and non-pesticide rice farmers were at high level 70.27% and 64.52%, respectively, compared to 55.88% amog non- rice farmers. Based on the knowledge and attitude questions, it was implied that the paricipants should receive additional knowledge about the routes of pesticide exposures, pesticide toxicity according to type of chemical, and the correct use of suitable personal protective equipments. In addition, local authorities should educate people both pesticide users and non-users to be equally knowledgeable on the toxicity of pesticides and how to avoid contacting them.