Is Agricultural Intensification a Growing Health Concern? Perceptions from Waste Management Stakeholders in Vietnam

Abstract

This article characterizes the health risk perceptions toward excreta and wastewater management practices among waste management stakeholders in Vietnam and explores the implications of such perceptions on hygiene behaviors and preventative actions. Key informant interviews (n = 19; 12 women and 7 men) were conducted with farmers, community leaders, researchers, and government representatives in Hanoi and Ha Nam Province. Interviews were audio-recorded with permission, transcribed, and analyzed using a constant comparative method and qualitative thematic analysis. Researchers and government representatives perceived that the lack of knowledge of safe waste management practices among farmers was responsible for the use of “outdated” and often “unsafe” waste management practices. However, many farmers were aware of the health risks and safe hygienic practices but felt that safety measures were impractical and viewed susceptibility to diseases as low risk. Farmers also identified unfavorable climate and working conditions, limited financial capacity, and limited farm space as barriers to adopting safe management practices. At the broader level, inadequate communication between ministries often led to the creation of inconsistent waste management regulations. These barriers create constraints on efforts to improve sustainable waste management practices. Promoting collaboration between sectors, encouraging farmer-to-farmer knowledge sharing, and designing and implementing risk communication strategies that account for risk perceptions of stakeholders are recommended.

Urban Vietnamese consumers’ preferences for attributes of sustainably produced rice

“…Fertilizers leach into waterways, which affects water supply quality and the environment. Exposure to high levels of the chemicals causes serious human health outcomes, and while farmers and farming communities face the highest risk of exposure, the chemical contamination of food has represented a growing concern for Vietnamese consumers (My et al, 2018a(My et al, , 2018bWertheim-Heck and Raneri, 2020;My et al, 2021;Veidt et al, 2018). Thus, a reduction of agrochemicals offers a private benefit (safe food).…”

Prevalence and impacts of self-medication in a disadvantaged setting: the importance of multi-dimensional health interventions

“…Indeed, the rate of SM among Vietnamese farmers was higher compared to other occupations ( 29 ). Using medication without prescription among farmers could cause more severe effects on their health than non-farm workers as they are exposed to multiple occupational hazards due to excessive exposure to pesticides under a lack of government control ( 30 ), including pesticide poisoning ( 31 ), non-communicable diseases ( 30 ), infection with the soil-transmitted helminth ( 32 ), or diarrheal illness ( 33 ). Compared to other occupations, farmers also have fewer vacations and have longer working years, and more seasonal jobs such as construction workers or porters outside the harvesting season ( 34 , 35 ).…”

International, Transdisciplinary, and Ecohealth Action for Sustainable Agriculture in Asia

“…For example, agricultural intensification, or producing more food on less land, is an important strategy for meeting the rise in food demand by 2050, estimated to range from 60% upwards (1,2). However, the concomitant use of water and modern inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers can lead to local environmental degradation (1,3) along with public health risks to agricultural workers, community members, and consumers (4)(5)(6). More broadly, agricultural intensification processes have been linked to climate change exacerbation (7), zoonotic disease emergence (8), and antimicrobial resistance (9).…”