The use of pesticides in agriculture, while essential for pest control, poses a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries. Excessive or improper use of these chemicals can lead to acute health symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues, predominantly affecting farmers. Despite the availability of recommended safety practices for handling pesticides, many f
The use of pesticides in agriculture, while essential for pest control,
poses a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries.
Excessive or improper use of these chemicals can lead to acute health symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and respiratory issues, predominantly
affecting farmers. Despite the availability of recommended safety practices for
handling pesticides, many farmers remain exposed to significant risks.
Safety Practices and Acute Symptoms: A Status
Report
This study investigated pesticide safety
practices and the prevalence of acute health symptoms among farmers in several
developing countries.
The analysis revealed that adherence to safe
pesticide use practices is low, with an average of only 43.1% across the
countries studied. Significant variations were observed, ranging from 12.5% in
Tanzania to 87.2% in Iran. The findings also indicated that safety practices
are influenced by factors such as better knowledge, positive attitudes towards
pesticides, higher education levels, and more than five years of experience in
their use.
Regarding health symptoms, the study showed
that, on average, 30.36% of farmers reported acute health symptoms related to
pesticide exposure, with substantial differences between countries. The lowest
rate of symptoms was observed in Ethiopia (1.59%), while the highest rate was
reported in Kuwait (55.76%).
Pesticide Safety: Balancing Best Practices and
Surprising Symptoms
The results highlight a significant gap in
safety practices and a high prevalence of acute health symptoms among farmers
in developing countries. This underscores the urgent need for tailored
intervention measures, such as pesticide safety training, the distribution of
personal protective equipment, and targeted educational programs. Educating
farmers and improving their knowledge play a central role in enhancing safety
and reducing health risks.
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Scientific reference
Desye, B., et al. (2024). Pesticide safe use practice and acute health symptoms, and associated factors among farmers in developing countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis of an epidemiological evidence. BMC public health, 24(1), 3313.
