The problems associated with pesticide use by irrigation workers in Ghana
The use of pesticides in Ghanaian agriculture, though beneficial in reducing crop loss both before and after harvest, has been associated with threats to human health often due to the misapplication of the chemicals. This study was an initial attempt to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices...
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Published in | Occupational medicine (Oxford) Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 301 - 308 |
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Main Authors | , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Oxford
Oxford University Press
01.07.1997
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Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The use of pesticides in Ghanaian agriculture, though beneficial in reducing crop loss both before and after harvest, has been associated with threats to human health often due to the misapplication of the chemicals. This study was an initial attempt to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of 123 farm workers on three irrigation project areas in the Accra Plains, Ghana, regarding the safe handling and use of pesticides, to assess the prevalence of symptoms associated with organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) and carbamates and to determine the prevalence of pesticide-related symptoms, and blood cholinesterase. The study design was cross-sectional in type. Methods used were interviews and observation, and biological monitoring. The results revealed moderate levels of knowledge of the routes of absorption of pesticides and of potential symptoms following exposure. Knowledge of personal protective measures was poor to moderate. High risk practices included frequent handling of the chemicals, home storage of pesticides and short re-entry intervals. Despite knowledge of some health risks associated with pesticides, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was minimal due primarily to financial constraints. The prevalence of symptoms was higher and cholinesterase levels lower than in a control group of teachers. It is suggested that there is a need for more epidemiologic studies to investigate the problems associated with pesticide induced ill health as well as research into appropriate and affordable PPE. PPE needs to be subsidized. Training of agriculture and health workers in safety precautions, recognition, and management of pesticide-related ill health is a matter of urgency. |
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Bibliography: | Correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr E. E. K. Clarke, Ministry of Health, Ghana, c/o PO Box 11355, Accra North, Ghana istex:18C34787551E5A150E3E023D5FEF577A34EA5C32 ark:/67375/HXZ-V92FW76F-M ArticleID:47.5.301 ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 0962-7480 1471-8405 |
DOI: | 10.1093/occmed/47.5.301 |