Exposure to Pesticides among Farm Workers of MAVOKO Division in MACHAKOS District, Kenya.

Abstract

About 40.7% pesticides used to control pests on farms worldwide and in Kenya are toxic. Over 60% workers in Kenya are exposed to pesticides due to lack of knowledge, negative attitude and poor practice. Ministry of Agriculture reported that over 70% unspecified pesticides used on farms in Mavoko Division were toxic and farm workers who applied them complained of unspecified health complications of which 60% were pesticide related. Hence, there was need to .investigate the allegations. The main objective of the study was to investigate factors contributing to pesticide exposure among farm workers of Mavoko Division in Machakos District, Kenya. The study, whose specific objectives were: to assess knowledge, attitude and practice on pesticide use; identify and quantify pesticides used; and investigate postexposure symptoms, was conducted on 160 workers who had been employed for over two years on farms in Lukenya location. Simple random sampling was done. Eighty exposed and 80 unexposed workers were interviewed and observed when handling pesticides and doing other work, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences ver. 15.0. Descriptive statistics for frequencies and percentages was done; test for significance was done using Pearson's Chi-square at 5% significance level and cross tabulations were done to test for associations between factors. Results showing that 43.7% exposed workers had not been trained revealed they lacked knowledge on pesticide risks and safe use. 68.7% were unable to understand and interpret label instructions reflecting on their low education level since about 90% had only primary level education. Workers had a negative attitude towards pesticide risks and use of protective clothing. Over 37% said a mask and overalls were uncomfortable to wear. The claim by workers that they had a positive attitude was not demonstrated in their practice as observations showed that none used full protective equipment, while 25% did not use any when spraying. Observed poor hygienic practices such as washing spray pump without soap and protection; not washing hands after spraying; failure to change, wash clothes and bathe after spraying exposed workers to pesticides. Observations showed that 68% pesticides used such as Ogor and Alphacypermethrin were toxic WHO Class II. All exposed workers experienced post-exposure symptoms which could be attributed to pesticide exposure~ Symptoms mostly experienced were; flu/cold (28.5%), headache (36.3%) and nausea (20.9%); Only 2.5% unexposed workers experienced a headache which could be due to high temperatures. Basing on study findings, it is concluded that most farmers lacked knowledge on pesticide risks and safe use, their attitude towards risks and protection was negative, their practice was poor; pesticides used were toxic; and post exposure symptoms experienced were due to pesticide exposure. It is recommended that; knowledge, attitude and practice of workers be improved through training; class 11 pesticides be restricted; and awareness be created on post-exposure symptoms and need to seek medication.