title: Knowledge and practices of farmers with reference to pesticide management: implications on human health.
abstract: A study was conducted to assess the knowledge and practices of Ethiopian farmers about pesticide management: implications for human health. A pretested standardized questionnaire was administered. The results revealed that the great majority 174 (99.4%) farmers had ample awareness about pesticide impact on human health. However, various hazardous practices have also been documented. One hundred thirty-five (77.2%) farmers make use of the empty pesticide containers for various household purposes. The most frequent self-reported toxicity symptoms associated with pesticide use were headache (58.8%), salivation and vomiting (38.2%), nausea (36.5%), and sneezing (12.5%). Chi-square analysis revealed a strong association between the farmer's educational status and reported toxicity symptoms (p = .0001; χ(2) = 498.2; df = 30). Creating awareness about safe usage of pesticide is extremely vital by special orientation programs. Besides, promoting alternative pest control strategies such as use of biopesticides and integrated pest management (IPM) could be productive.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia. k karunamoorthi@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Kaliyaperumal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karunamoorthi
authors.forename: Mubarek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohammed
authors.forename: Fantahun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wassie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010575:Pesticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects; D012912:Sneezing / Q000187:drug effects; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides