Predicting farmers' intention to use PPE for prevent pesticide adverse effects: An examination of the Health Belief Model (HBM)

Abstract

Long-term use of pesticides has been associated with wide range of chronic diseases, and personal protective equipment (PPE) can reduce health consequences of pesticide exposure. This study used the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a framework in predicting farmers' intention to use a series of PPE (face mask, goggles, gloves, protective clothing and rubber boots) for prevent pesticide adverse effects. Questionnaire including 33 measures of variables which was guided by the HBM were distributed in May 2019 among a random sample of 387 rice farmers from Sari county in Mazandaran province of Iran. The relation between HBM measures and the farmers' confirmation of the intention to use a series of PPE for prevents pesticide-related health problems was investigated. The majority of the farmers (56.33%) agreed that they would use a series of PPE in their future pesticide handling. The results show that the factors positively affecting farmers' intention to use a series of PPE were three HBM components: higher levels of perceived severity of pesticide adverse effects, cues to action and perceived PPE benefits. Further perceived PPE barriers has significant, negative effects on farmers’ intention. The overall pattern of results revealed that the HBM components of perceived benefits, particularly PPE effectiveness in reducing exposure to pesticide adverse effects and perceived barriers particularly PPE uncomfortableness and unpleasantness for field work were found to be important predictors of farmers' intention. These results imply that extension and training programs which focus on severity of pesticide adverse effect and the perceived benefits and perceived barriers of PPE will have a better effect on increasing the rate of preventive behavior among farmers.