[Educational intervention concerning knowledge and practices regarding work-related risks in potato farmers in Boyacá, Colombia].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluating the impact of educational intervention concerning knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) aimed at changing behaviour in how pesticides and organophosphates are applied in a sample of potato farmers from seven municipalities in the Boyacá department of Colombia in connection with occupational health and labour risks.


METHODS
This was a nested, before-after, intervention study. A participative strategy-based occupational health and labour risk educational intervention was used with 659 potato farmers. Knowledge, attitudes and practice concerning these matters were evaluated prior to and following the intervention.


RESULTS
Statistically significant changes in knowledge were recorded; lesser significance was recorded regarding attitudes and practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Educational interventions in vulnerable, low scholastic level populations require ongoing accompaniment and support for achieving significant changes in health practice.
Ospina
Juan M
JM
Escuela de Medicina, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja. duendex56@yahoo.com
Manrique-Abril
Fred G
FG
Ariza
Nelly E
NE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002219:Carbamates / Q000009:adverse effects; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D011198:Solanum tuberosum; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D002219:Carbamates; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010575:Pesticides