Farmers' Training on Pesticide Use Is Associated with Elevated Safety Behavior.

Christos Damalas,Spyridon Koutroubas

doi:10.3390/toxics5030019

Abstract

Occupational exposure to pesticides in agricultural applications may cause acute and long-term health effects to farmers, and thus research on factors that reduce exposure is useful. However, studies on the relevance and effectiveness of training are limited. The association of previous training in the form of intensive seminars relating to pesticide use (e.g., use of spraying equipment, application parameters, use of personal protective equipment, risks to human health and the environment) with farmers’ knowledge and behavior in pesticide use was studied via the self-reporting method in a purposive sample of 82 trained and non-trained farmers. Most trained farmers showed higher levels of knowledge of pesticide use, higher levels of beliefs in pesticide hazard control, and higher levels of safety behavior than non-trained farmers. Knowledge of pesticide use and beliefs regarding pesticide hazard control were significantly correlated with safety behavior in both groups of farmers. Concerning farmers’ beliefs regarding pesticide hazard control, trained farmers were more likely to think that safety precautions work very well and less likely to feel they had little control over avoiding pesticide hazards. Overall, previous training was associated with increased levels of farmers’ knowledge of pesticides and beliefs about pesticide hazard control, was accompanied by elevated safety behavior in farmers, and thus was connected with lower occupational exposure to pesticides. Interventions that facilitate knowledge and compliance with safety behaviors should become a priority for decreasing exposure to pesticides among farmers.

Highlights

The use crop protection products has boosted the productivity of land, reduced the need to farm additional land, and contributed to greater and more stable income for farmers [1]
Knowledge and belief scores were significantly correlated with the safety behavior score, indicating a mediating effect on safety behavior
The present study explores differences in knowledge of pesticide use, beliefs about pesticide hazard control, and safety behaviors among farmers who have received training and those who have not, using a purposive sample of 82 farmers

Summary

Introduction

The use crop protection products has boosted the productivity of land, reduced the need to farm additional land, and contributed to greater and more stable income for farmers [1]. Pesticides protect crops from harmful pests and diseases, assisting farmers to secure food supply with an efficient use of natural resources. Farmers rely on pesticides, including toxic chemicals, to a greater degree than traditional pest control methods (e.g., physical and mechanical control) and integrated pest management (IPM) [2]. Due to their ease of use and high efficacy, the use of pesticides has increased over the years [3]. Over-reliance of farmers on pesticides, lack of knowledge of proper handling practices, and poor access to training on pesticides imply a high risk of pesticide exposure for farmers and pesticide residues on crops [5]

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