Pesticide exposure, risk factors and health problems among vegetable farm workers /
del Prado-Lu, Jinky Leilanie
Pesticide exposure, risk factors and health problems among vegetable farm workers / Jinky Leilanie del Prado-Lu
This is a cross-sectional study on pesticide exposure and associated risk factors and health problems among vegetable growers in Benguet which is the vegetable capital of the Philippines. A walk through survey and questionnaire assessing pesticide use, risk factors to pesticide exposure, health problems and safety standards were administered. Of the 39 randomly selected vegetable farmers, majority (71.8 percent) were male and belonged to the 36-50 age group (41%). Analysis showed that illness in the past 12 months is associated with spills on the crotch and hands (p=.030 and .019, respectively). Chest pain is positively related to wiping the face with a contaminated cloth (p=.006) and spills while spraying (p=.042). Cough is positively correlated with having a pressurized backpack sprayer (p=.045), wearing coveralls (p=.029), on the buttocks (p=.019) and negatively associated with wearing of goggles (p=.018), gauntlet gloves ((p=.018) and boots (p=.043). Muscle pain is highly associated with wiping the face with a contaminated cloth and spills in the crotch (p=.000 for both). Significant correlations were also found for breathlessness, weakness and easy fatigability. For safety practices, the height of containers and vats are significantly associated with the following: illness in the past 12 months (p=.014), chest pain (p=.004), cough (p=.007), muscle pain (p=.009) and eye redness (p=.038). Other practices associated with pesticide spills and illness include spraying relative to the field's perimeter, proper body mechanics, distance between the nozzle and body, storage and guarding of containers, guards/markings on steep areas tools/levers in mixing. Recommendations for future studies and policy formulation were discussed.
In: Acta Medica Philippina, 2006 vol. 40 (2) pages: 12-19
Pesticides--adverse effects
Risk Factors
Occupational Health
Pesticide Exposure
Pesticide exposure, risk factors and health problems among vegetable farm workers / Jinky Leilanie del Prado-Lu
This is a cross-sectional study on pesticide exposure and associated risk factors and health problems among vegetable growers in Benguet which is the vegetable capital of the Philippines. A walk through survey and questionnaire assessing pesticide use, risk factors to pesticide exposure, health problems and safety standards were administered. Of the 39 randomly selected vegetable farmers, majority (71.8 percent) were male and belonged to the 36-50 age group (41%). Analysis showed that illness in the past 12 months is associated with spills on the crotch and hands (p=.030 and .019, respectively). Chest pain is positively related to wiping the face with a contaminated cloth (p=.006) and spills while spraying (p=.042). Cough is positively correlated with having a pressurized backpack sprayer (p=.045), wearing coveralls (p=.029), on the buttocks (p=.019) and negatively associated with wearing of goggles (p=.018), gauntlet gloves ((p=.018) and boots (p=.043). Muscle pain is highly associated with wiping the face with a contaminated cloth and spills in the crotch (p=.000 for both). Significant correlations were also found for breathlessness, weakness and easy fatigability. For safety practices, the height of containers and vats are significantly associated with the following: illness in the past 12 months (p=.014), chest pain (p=.004), cough (p=.007), muscle pain (p=.009) and eye redness (p=.038). Other practices associated with pesticide spills and illness include spraying relative to the field's perimeter, proper body mechanics, distance between the nozzle and body, storage and guarding of containers, guards/markings on steep areas tools/levers in mixing. Recommendations for future studies and policy formulation were discussed.
In: Acta Medica Philippina, 2006 vol. 40 (2) pages: 12-19
Pesticides--adverse effects
Risk Factors
Occupational Health
Pesticide Exposure