Impact of Pesticide Exposure on the Health of Agricultural Workers in Northern Region of Kwara State, Nigeria
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Date
2022-06-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
Abstract
- Pesticide exposure has been linked to negative
health impacts, and farmers all around the world are
thought to be harmed. This study aimed to verifyscientific
findings which statesthat pesticide exposure causes health
problems among farmers. A cross-sectional descriptive
study was applied for the study. The study enlisted 310
farmers with contact with pesticides. A well-structured
questionnaire was used tofor data collection
ofrespondent’s socio demographic factors, health of
exposure to pesticides, pesticide knowledge and use.The
data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The Chi square test was performed to determine the relationship
between pesticide exposure and health damage. Findings
indicates that 81.6 percent of the farmers utilize
pesticidesfor agricultural purposes, while 89.4 percent
uses pesticides at home. 81.9 percent have been engaged
in agricultural activitiesfor over two years, 57.9% of
respondents claim they have never had any health
problems as a result of pesticide exposure, while 42.1
percent of respondents had at least one health problem as
a result of pesticide exposure. The Chi square test of
independence between pesticide exposure and health
impairment yields a P-value of 0.000, indicating that
pesticide exposure has a significant impact on the health
of farmers. The study concludes that inappropriate use
ofpesticide use by farmers results in one or more health
problems. Farmers should read and follow the use and
application of pesticides instructions on the containers
carefully; use personal protective equipment (PPE);
primary health care facilities should be equipped to treat
pesticides related cases; and farm extension workers
should engage in health education training to farmers
about consequence of the health effect of pesticides
exposure
Description
Pesticides are widely acknowledged to play an
important role in increasing crop output and eradicating
vectors of human and livestock diseases. Pesticides are
compounds used for preventing, eliminating, repelling, or
reducing any pest (insects, mites, nematodes, weeds, rodents,
and other pests), including insecticides, herbicides,
fungicides, and several other agents used to manage pests [1].
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the total
estimated production of pesticides in 2012 was 5.8 billion
pounds of active chemicals [2]. chemical pesticides are
categorized into families, which include organochlorine
pesticides (OCPs), organophosphates, and synthetic
pyrethroids (SPs) [3].
Nigerian farmers have traditionally relied significantly
on pesticides to control various weeds, insect pests, and
illnesses, resulting in a high importation of these chemicals
[11]. According to reference [9] and [10], certain type of
workers such as greenhouse workers, farm and non-farm
workers are more likely to be exposed to high pesticide
concentration, which could have negative health
repercussions.
Pesticide has been linked to a variety of health issues,
including impaired reproduction, metabolic disorders,
neurobehavioral disorders, macular degeneration, asthma and
many more [4][5][6][7][8]. Farmers, gardeners, and those
involved in the production, distribution, and sale of pesticides
are among those who could be exposed to these chemicals
and their consequences. References [12] and [13] in their
study reported that farmers in Kwara State have suffered
from short- and long-term health damage, in various degree
depending on the type of crop, as a result of pesticide
exposure. However, inKwara North, no research has
conducted to examine the health effect of farmers exposure to
pesticides and the people of Kwara north a predominantly
farmers. As a result, the goal of this research is to see how
pesticide exposure affects the health of agricultural workers
in Kwara North, Nigeria.
Keywords
Citation
42.Ekundayo D.E, Sawyerr H.O , (Opasola O.A*) , Atimiwoaye A.D(2022): Impact of Pesticide Exposure on the Health of Agricultural Workers in Northern Region of Kwara State, Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology 7(6):1126-1140. https://www.ijisrt.com/assets/upload/files/IJISRT22JUN1125