Health and safety of pesticide applicators in a high income agricultural setting: a knowledge, attitude, practice, and toxicity study from North-Eastern Italy

• Published in: Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene Vol. 59; no. 3; pp. E200 - E211
• Main Authors: Riccò, M, Vezzosi, L, Gualerzi, G
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy Pacini Editore srl 01.09.2018
• Subjects: Adult; Agriculture - economics; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Italy; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Exposure; Occupational Health; Original; Pesticides; Protective Clothing; Surveys and Questionnaires; Italy; Personal hygiene and sanitation; Agricultural worker; Personal protective equipment (PPE); Knowledge attitudes and practices (KAP); Pesticides
• ISSN: 2421-4248; 1121-2233; 2421-4248
• DOI: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2018.59.3.934

We assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding pesticide handling and related health problems among pesticide applicators (PAs) from the Autonomous Province of Trento, Italy. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was performed in spring 2016, involving 260 PAs. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with a safer use of pesticides. The mean age of participants was 48.8 ± 13.2 years. 89.2% were males. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) was diffuse, particularly gloves (92.7%), face mask (91.2%), and post-spraying personal hygiene practices were extensively applied. Overall, 43.5% had experienced pesticide-related symptoms especially in subjects misusing PPE, but also for avoiding hygienic procedures. Knowledge about pesticides was a significant predictor for frequency of symptoms. As a better knowledge of pesticide-related risks was a significant predictor to reduce symptoms, our results stress that improving awareness and promoting safe use of pesticide may improve the health of PAs.