Factors Associated With Practice of Chemical Pesticide Use and Acute Poisoning Experienced by Farmers in Chitwan District, Nepal

Abstract

Background: Irrational use and unsafe handling of pesticides in agriculture farming is a serious public health concern in developing countries including Nepal. This study was conducted to assess the practice of chemical pesticide use and associated factors along with the acute health symptoms experienced by farmers in Chitwan District, Nepal.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative methods with 790 farmers from Chitwan district, Nepal selected through systematic random sampling. Scores for knowledge, attitude/perception and practice were calculated by aggregating variables where each variable was scored 1 or 0 based on a right or wrong answer. Further, the practice variable was segregated into three groups namely practice during purchasing, practice during mixing and spraying and practice during storage and disposal. Statistical analysis was performed with X2 test, T-test and Multiple Logistic Regression. Confounder controls were made for age, sex and education.Results: Out of the 790 farmers, 663 (84.0%) were found to use exclusively chemical pesticide. Among them, 62% had no idea about its label. Farmers with better knowledge on pesticide handling were 8.3 times more likely to practice safe purchasing (95% CI=5.0-13.8), four times more likely to practice safe mixing and spraying (95% CI=2.5-5.9) and two times more likely to safe storage and disposal (95% CI=1.6-3.6). Similarly, perception/attitude of farmers about chemical pesticide policy and market management was significantly associated with the practice of farmers during purchasing (95% CI=1.1-2.8), mixing and spraying (95% CI=2.0-4.5) and storage and disposal (95% CI=1.1-2.5). Farmers with unsafe practice of pesticide handling were two times more likely to suffer from acute poisoning (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.3-3.3).Conclusion: There was a high use of pesticide in agriculture farming in Chitwan District. Improving knowledge of farmers on safe handling of pesticides and developing strategies for proper market management would promote the safe handling practices among farmers and reduce the acute pesticide poisoning in Nepal.

Farmers' knowledge and practice regarding good agricultural practices (GAP) on safe pesticide usage in Indonesia

“…In addition, Sapbamrer and Thammachai (2020) summarize the significant influence of positive attitudes and awareness on the increasing use of PPE. Furthermore, Kafle et al (2021) describe how Nepali farmers who know more about the safe purchasing, mixing, spraying, and storing of pesticides tend to be more likely to adopt safe behaviors when handling and using them.…”

Knowledge on Pesticide Handling Practices and Factors Affecting Adoption of Personal Protective Equipment: A Case of Farmers from Nepal

“…However, training was found to be an important determinant of the effective adoption of PPE [21]. Training jointly influences on the safe pesticide handling practices to both sellers and buyers [4,7,38].…”

“…But, at the same time, pesticides can be extremely hazardous and have a detrimental impact on human health and other living organisms due to high toxicity [3]. Organophosphate insecticide and organochlorine are the commonly used pesticides in Nepal [2,4] which inhibit the neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase and affect the central and peripheral nervous system, also affecting the endocrine system which can lead to diabetes mellitus [5][6][7][8].…”

“…Most pesticides are used in rice (40-50%), pulses (14-20%), cotton (13-15%), and vegetables and fruits (10-15%) [10]. e majority of the farmers are unaware of pesticide types, level of poisoning, safety precautions, and potential hazards on health and environment [5,7,8]. It has been estimated that the pesticide use pattern in Nepal is increasing by 10-20% every year [11].…”