Abstract
Pesticides are commonly used in Cameroon for farming purposes, especially in the Mount-Bamboutos agricultural area. This study aimed to evaluate the basic knowledge, attitude and practices among pesticide users in the said area in view of assessing the level of safety and health risks due to pesticide exposures or contaminations. Data was collected through survey study on pesticide knowledge, marketing, attitude and practices on spraying skills, toxicity, health issues, management, first aids and literacy of operators. Results revealed that both male and female were involved in agricultural practices with their ages varying from 21 to 60 years. The farmers were generally of low education level. The main crops cultivated are leafy and fruit vegetables, tubers, cereals, roots and fruits. Half the participants purchased pesticides from the neighborhood. Ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDC) and cypermethrin were the two main pesticides used by the farmers. Seventy percent (70%) of pesticide containers were thrown in the environment after usage. A certain portion of the sprayers (12%) did not know the existence of residues after application while, as routes of penetration up to 42% pointed the mouth as the route for pesticides into human body. Very few respondents (3%) identified the intervention hospital in case of pesticide poisoning. This study highlights poor knowledge on the use and handling of pesticides in Mount-Bamboutos agricultural area. Sensitization campaigns should be put in place, involving different stakeholders, to train farmers in pesticide risks and management.
Highlights
The use of pesticides in farming and other domains is subjected to applicator’s perception that may be trained or not for the purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the basic knowledge, attitude and practices among pesticide users in the said area in view of assessing the level of safety and health risks due to pesticide exposures or contaminations
Ethylene bis-dithiocarbamate (EBDC) and cypermethrin were the two main pesticides used by the farmers
Summary
The use of pesticides in farming and other domains is subjected to applicator’s perception that may be trained or not for the purpose. The amount of pesticide residues found in the end products will depend on the management of formulations during cropping. In this sense, consequences such as pesticide poisonings and environmental contamination are often blamed on pesticide users like farmers and farm workers. Consequences such as pesticide poisonings and environmental contamination are often blamed on pesticide users like farmers and farm workers This is generally termed misuse that assumes that the farmers, farm workers, and others have access to the relevant risk information, can read the information and comprehend to a level where they can apply this information; protect themselves, consumers and ecosystems [1]. The method of spraying pesticides, materials used during spraying, the spraying period, integrated pest management, the spraying parameters such doses, pre-harvest-period and spraying techniques are generally viewed as anthropological parameters able to harm human’s health [2] [3]
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