Knowledge attitude and practice of pesticide use among agricultural workers in Puducherry, South India.

OBJECTIVES To study the level of knowledge and practice related to pesticides and their adverse effects among agricultural workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross sectional study among 100 randomly selected agricultural workers, using or ever used pesticide within last one year was conducted in Puducherry, South India. The questionnaire was adapted from WHO field surveys of 'Exposure to Pesticides Standard Protocol' and similar studies. Data were collected by face to face interview. RESULTS All the participants were male with mean age of 54.3 yrs. While 70% of respondents perceived pesticide spraying affects a person's health, only 40% were aware that it affects the environment. Two thirds of the respondents (62%) were aware that pesticide enters the body through nose and affects lungs. Awareness on other modes of entry was less. Majority (76%) of them was aware of training programs conducted by government agriculture department on pest management. About 42% of farmers had good knowledge regarding pesticide. Between 40% and 70% of respondents were not using any protective equipments during pesticide spraying. Around 68% of farmers indiscriminately disposed empty containers while 48% buried the leftover pesticides. Significant association (p < 0.05) was observed between knowledge of the farmers and their practices related to pesticides. CONCLUSION Overall awareness of agricultural workers on pesticide was inadequate. Improper disposal of pesticides and its container can produce harm to the environment. The findings of the study emphasize the need to educate agricultural workers regarding safe and adequate use of pesticides to prevent health and environmental hazards.