Research in Medicine

Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

---

Background: Pesticides are an extremely diverse group of substances with a wide potential for a variety of toxic effects. They are biocidal agents used to control a wide variety of organisms that pose a threat to health or compete for food or other materials. Selective toxicity for the target pest is the principle of pesticide use, but because organisms are similar at the cellular or subcellular level, adverse human health effects may occur. Worldwide estimates suggest the problem of toxicity and death is much greater in developing countries than in developed countries. Material and method: For this cross sectional study, 1279 farmers were selected in 5 provinces through a cluster sampling. Initial data were gathered by a questionnaire and acute and chronic side effects of pesticides were recorded. Results: Totally, 50% of farmers were illiterate, while the mean duration of their work experience was 22 years (18-26 years). In different regions, different pesticides were used, for instance, in Rafsanjan and Savejbolagh most of pesticides were organophosphates (95%). Meanwhile, 68% of farmers did not use any personal protective equipment. Only 5% of farmers noticed the manufacturers’ instructions and 27% burned the vessels. Conclusion: Educational package consisting of pesticides and their uses, the techniques of management and control of short and long term effects of pesticide poisoning, the methods of properly and effective use of personal protective equipment, and the necessary acts after use of vessel, should be distributed among farmers.

Keywords: Pesticide, Farmer, Health.

Full-Text [PDF 133 kb]   (8036 Downloads)