Impact of a Non-Formal Environmental Education Program on safe handling of pesticides among Mexican subsistence farmers: a participatory pilot study

Abstract

Pesticides negatively impact human health and environment, resulting in a high number of deaths annually. The objective of the present study was to measure the impact of an educational intervention on safe handling of pesticides in subsistence farmers in rural communities in Mexico. In a participatory non-randomized controlled community trial subsistence farmers were surveyed on safe handling of pesticides at the beginning and end of the intervention. Two communities had the intervention which was a Non-Formal Environmental Education Program, while one community served as reference. We observed impact in knowledge and practices of safe handling of pesticides among farmers in the intervention communities. Perception of being trained by the program (OR:9.14 95%CI 2.4-35.3), knowledge of rubber boots as PPE and its use (OR:14 95%CI 3.1-64 and OR:7.1 95%CI 1.4-35.3); knowledge and correct final disposal of pesticide containers (OR:7.4 95%CI 1.8-30.2 and OR:6.6 95%CI 1.8-24.3); and washing hands with soap and water before eating food in the field (OR:10.5 95%CI 2.2-49.4) were positively associated with the intervention. Throwing and burning pesticide containers in the field was negatively associated with the intervention (OR:0.19 95%CI 0.05-0.68 and OR:0.07 95%CI 0.01-0.44). The Non-Formal Environmental Education Program had an impact on some indicators of safe handling of pesticides.