SELF CARE AMONG TOMATO GROWERS USING CHEMICAL PESTICIDE AT MUANGLAI SUBDISTRICT OF MUANG DISTRICT IN SAKONNAKHON PROVINCE

Abstract

This cross-sectional descriptive study aimedto investigate preventive behavior to avoid harm frompesticide including self-care behavior when healthproblem related to insecticide use occurred.Participants in this study were 189 tomato cultivatorswho used chemical pesticide and resided in TambonMaung Lai, Amphur Muang, Sakonnakhon.  Systemicsampling technique was used for participant recruitment.Data were collected during May to June 2008, usingquestionnaire.  Descriptive statistics includingpercentage, mean, and standard deviation wereemployed for data analysis using SPSS for windows.Findings from this study showed thatparticipants who used chemical pesticide highlyperformed self-protective behavior before and duringspraying the chemical with the mean score of 2.5(S.D. = 0.3) and 2.6 (S.D. = 0.3), respectively.However, when considering each item, it was foundthat the participants used the pesticides inappropriatelyby mixing many types of pesticides simultaneously(22.2%), opening bottle with teeth (5.3%),re-spraying in the area that had been done (50.3%),eating while spraying (7.3%), and exposing bare handsto the chemical.  After using the pesticide,the participants moderately performed self-protectivebehavior with the mean score of 1.9 (S.D. = 0.2).When considering by item, inappropriate behaviorswere not making any sign for chemical pesticidecontaminated zone (19%) and picking fruit within7-14 days after spraying (38.1%). Findings regarding illness related to workshowed that 41.8 % of tomato cultivators participatedin the study had some health problems after usingpesticide including skin irritation (itching) (34.1%),chest pain (37.9%), nasal irritation or running nose(not related to having a cold) ( 36.7%), drowsiness(43%), agitation and bad temper (37.9%), andmyalgia (54.4%).  When having health problems fromchemical pesticide-related hazard the participants tookcare of themselves by self-medicating (31.6%) andseeking care from public health center in the localarea or governmental hospital (63.3%).