Investigating the knowledge level of sellers of pesticides used in agricultural struggle in Adana province

Abstract

Objective: While significant increase in pesticide use in our country, most extensive uses are at Aegean and Mediterranean regions. Adjusting amount of pesticide consumption is important for both human health and environmental contamination. Our aim is investigating the level of knowledge of sellers of pesticides used in agricultural struggle about pesticides in Adana, in Mediterranean region. Method: In Adana, survey with 37 questions applied to sellers of pesticides used in agricultural struggle, total of 62 people. Study type is descriptive. SPSS 19.0 used to analyze data. Results: 54 people (87.1%) who agreed to participate in the survey graduated from University, 3 people (4.8%) from primary, 5 people (8.1%) from high school. 27 people (43.6%) used personal protectives, while 32 people (51.6%) didn’t. It's indicated 15 people didn’t match the product storage conditions, 11 people (18.1%) had dinner in workplace, 8 people (12.9%) didn’t wash hands after pesticide contact. 41 people (66.1%) saw themselves under risk of intoxication and 21 people (33.9%) didn’t see any risk. 4 people (6.4%) intoxicated at any level, while 58 people (93.6%) didn't before. 13 people (20.9%) didn’t know the symptoms of intoxication, while 8 people (12.9%) didn’t know the ways of preventing intoxication. 11 people (18.3%) didn’t know what should be done in emergency and 22 people (36.1%) didn’t know phone number of National Intoxication Center. 7 people (11.3%) think pesticides used appropriately, other 55 people (88.7%) don't. 4 of the respondents (6.4%) believe pesticides leave no residues to environment. Conclusion: Lack of knowledge found at sellers of pesticides used in agricultural struggle about prevention of adverse health effects and the use of pesticides and seminars should be organized, standards should be upgraded to resolve deficiencies. Thus, more appropriate and proper use of pesticides will save consumer and worker health.

 

 

 

Keywords: Adana, Pesticide, Seller

Keywords

• Investigating the knowledge level of sellers of pesticides used in agricultural struggle in Adana province

References

1. Ersin Nazlıcan, Volkan Recai Ötegen, Muhsin Akbaba, Hüseyin İlter Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Department of Public Health , Turkish Public Health Agency, Department of Environmental Health