Ergonomic and health assessment of farmers’ multi-pesticide exposure

Abstract

Objective . This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 534 farmers in the largest vegetable –producing area in the northern part of the Philippines. This study assessed the ergonomic risk factors, and occupational health and safety conditions of farmers’ multi-pesticide exposures. Methods . Methods consisted of interviewer-guided survey questionnaires on pesticide use among farmers, agricultural safety risk factors associated with pesticide exposure and physical health assessments of farmers. The subjects were selected using multistage random sampling, yielding a total of 534 farmers. Results . The majority of the study population were males (53.3%), with a mean age of 47 years old. Occupational exposure accounted for major exposure (84.8%). Farmers often complained of a headache (69.4%) and dizziness (41.0%) after their exposure to pesticides. As for common respiratory symptoms, farmers often complained of coughing (39.4%), difficulty with breathing (15.6%), breathlessness (14.9%) and having pulmonary secretions (13.3%). Farmers reported pesticide spills on their body parts while spraying (79%), and 49 % complained of getting sick because of work. Of those who got ill, 69.8% did not receive any medical attention. Of the farmers, 40.9% were diagnosed with abnormal physical examination findings, and less than 10% had abnormal laboratory results. Conclusion . The results showed that farmers were exposed to pesticides while undertaking their agricultural work and that certain occupationally-related health symptoms manifested. This underscores the need to improve protection measures to reduce the exposure of the farmers to pesticides. Keywords : Work and safety, Ergonomic Risk factors, Farmers, Agriculture, Occupational health, and safety